SMART Goals: How Do People Set Goals for Themselves?

VO: Ready to achieve your dreams? Try using SMART goals with these helpful tips from American Family Insurance!

We keep the “SMART” on screen, as an illustrated person slides into frame, looking at the “SMART”, appearing somewhat concerned, but smiles towards the end of the next sentence.

VO: Setting goals can sound daunting, but when you use SMART Goal setting, you can easily plan out how to make your dream a reality.

The “SMART” title now takes over, and spreads out, breaking into its acronym’s words.

VO: SMART means Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Sensitive, and can be applied to small or big life goals.

The “SMART” tightens up again into a single word, and shifts to the top of the frame, in small letters, where it will remain for the rest of the video. This will help us know which section we’re in, and keep the viewer grounded, like chapters of a book.

We see our character again under the title, standing in a bedroom – show a bed between two red nightstands.

VO: Let’s say you want to update your bedroom’s look.

The word “Specific” now appears in the middle of the screen. The “S” in “SMART” also changes color to emphasize where we are in the timeline.

VO: The first step is to be Specific. The more specific your goal is, the more likely you are to get it done.

“Specific” reduces in size and shifts up to rest under “SMART”.

We focus on our nightstands. As we elaborate on how we’re refinishing them, we add an illustration a paintbrush with AmFam blue color at its tip.

VO: Instead of “I want to update my bedroom.” be specific and say “I want to paint my two nightstands blue.” Now you know exactly what you need to do.

The word “Specific” fades out, and the word “Measurable” is in center frame. The color highlight in “SMART” now shifts to “M”.

VO: Next, your goal should be measurable.

On screen next to the first paint brush appear a sanding sponge, primer can, and a second paintbrush.

VO: Break down your goal into smaller tasks and take on one task at a time. It’s a great way to stay on track.

One by one, the sponge, can, first paintbrush and second paintbrush get bigger.

VO: To refinish your nightstands, you'll want to sand, prime, and apply a first and second coat of paint, one step at a time.

Show the two finished nightstands – now gleaming and AmFam blue in color.

VO: By breaking big tasks down into smaller ones, you’ll achieve your big goals in no time!

“Achievable” is now in center screen, as “Measurable” fades away and the letter “A” in “SMART” is highlighted.

VO: Then, make sure your goals are Achievable.

We go back to our sanding sponge, primer can, and paintbrush. We add an blue paint can, a painter’s tarp and painter’s gloves.

VO: You want to be sure your goals are realistic. For example, do you have the tools, time and resources you need to achieve your goals?

A money counter pops next to the tools, counting up as we highlight each tool. When its done counting, it turns into a stack of bills.

VO: Let’s say refinishing your nightstands will cost $200 in supplies. Make sure that’s realistic for your budget before you start working on your goal.

“Relevant” is now in center screen, as “Achievable” fades away and the letter “R” in “SMART” is highlighted.

VO: Your goal should also be Relevant to you. Ask yourself, “Does this goal help me get closer to my dream?”

“Relevant” shifts to the top of the screen. A to-do list flies in from the bottom, showing items of renovation around the house. Nightstands are at the top. Then, starting an herb garden, upgrading the living room TV and learning how to knit appear on the list.

VO: If your dream is to update your bedroom, then refinishing those nightstands is a relevant goal! In contrast, working on your kitchen herb garden or taking up other projects might not be so relevant to your dream of a more relaxing bedroom.

“Time-Sensitive” is now in center screen, as “Relevant” fades away and the letter “T” in “SMART” is highlighted.

VO: And lastly, you’ll want your goal to be Time-Sensitive.

“Time-Sensitive” shifts to the top of the screen as our character returns, with a monthly calendar next to her. On the calendar, we mark a date towards the end of the month with our finished nightstand.

VO: Deadlines can be stressful, but if you plan small deadlines in advance instead of one big deadline, you’ll see they’re not that scary.

We add more markers on different dates - our sponge, the primer can, the paintbrush, to show that each task can be done on a different day.

VO: For example, you can plan on priming your nightstands one day and painting them blue on another day. When you assign each task to a certain day or timeframe, your final due date will become clearer.

“Time-Sensitive” fades out. We now see our character with her finished nightstands, painted indigo. The “SMART” increases in size to emphasize the name of the program.

VO: And that’s it! Remember, no matter what your goals are, you can use SMART Goal setting to clarify your purpose, focus your efforts and get it done!

We end on the Am Fam logo and the URL.

VO: American Family Insurance is here to support you and your dreams. Learn more about how we can help inspire, protect and restore your dreams at AmFam.com.