Day 4 of Christie’s SMART Goals 101: Relevant

Welcome back to the Christie’s SMART Goals 101 series! This week, we’re taking an intentional journey through the framework. On Monday, we explored how being Specific creates clarity. On Tuesday, we uncovered how Measurable goals help you track progress. And yesterday, we talked about ensuring your goals are Achievable without losing ambition. Today, it’s Thursday, and we’re diving into the fourth letter: Relevant.  Before we start, if you’re someone who prefers to listen rather than read, you can head on over to my Instagram feed here, where I have an audiogram breaking down the ins and outs of relevant SMART Goals.

Relevance is about connecting your goals to your bigger picture. When a goal is relevant, it aligns with your values, priorities, and vision for the future. It’s not just about setting a goal, it’s about setting the right goal.

Why Relevance Matters

Think of relevance as your “why.” Why are you pursuing this goal? What purpose does it serve? When your goals are relevant, they’ll feel meaningful, and that meaning is what can keep you motivated, even when the work gets tough.

Relevance also ensures that your goals are worth your time, energy, and resources. In a world full of distractions and competing priorities, aligning your goals with your bigger aspirations helps you focus on what truly matters.

How to Ensure Your Goals Are Relevant

1. Connect to Your Values

Start by reflecting on your core values. Ask yourself:

• What do I care about most? What gets me out of bed in the morning?
• How does this goal align with my personal or professional values?
• Will achieving this goal move me closer to the life or business I want to build?

For example, if you value family time, a relevant goal might be: “I’ll finish work by 6 PM every day so I can spend evenings with my family.” Or, if you value creativity, a relevant goal might be: “I’ll dedicate one hour every Saturday to learning the art of watercolours.”

2. Prioritize Your Bigger Picture

Relevance requires seeing the forest, not just the trees. Consider how your “tree” (goal) fits into your “forest” (long-term aspirations.) Does it complement your other objectives, or is it a distraction? Relevant goals should align with the direction you want to grow in.

For example, your forest/long-term aspiration might be launching a successful small business. Then, one of your trees/relevant goals would be to “research freelance/trade licensing options and  requirements in Abu Dhabi, and register my business within the next two months.”

3. Avoid Shiny Object Syndrome

In today’s fast-paced, and often superficial world, it’s easy to get sidetracked by trendy opportunities that don’t align with your values. Before pursuing a new goal, ask yourself: Am I doing this because it’s meaningful to me, or because it seems impressive to others? Does this goal align with my priorities?

For example, instead of setting a goal like, “gain 100 Instagram followers in 3 months,” focus on what truly matters to your business: “post consistently valuable content and engage meaningfully with my audience to build a loyal and interested community.”

Examples of Relevant Goals

Here are some examples of relevant goals:

• Health Goal: “I’ll walk for 30 minutes three days a week to improve my overall health and boost my energy levels.”
• Career Goal: “I’ll complete a project management course on Udemy by June to enhance my skills and qualify for more senior roles.”
• Personal Development Goal: “I’ll read one book per month that aligns with my goal of improving my leadership skills.”
• Business Goal: “I’ll develop a new section of my website by the end of the month that addresses my clients’ most frequently asked questions.”

How Relevance Keeps You Focused

Relevant goals act as a guide. They can help you navigate distractions and stay on track. When every task ties back to your bigger “why,” you’re more likely to stay motivated, use your time and resources effectively, and make meaningful progress toward your aspirations.

Relevance also gives you permission to say no to opportunities that don’t align with your priorities. For instance, if your goal is to grow your small business, spending excessive time on unrelated side projects might be a distraction rather than a contribution to your success.

Personal Reflection: My Relevant Goal

When I decided to launch the Post Production Podcast, I knew it needed to serve a greater purpose than simply creating content. I wanted it to align with my mission of empowering entrepreneurs, particularly women, to confidently build businesses. My goal became to “produce a podcast that offers actionable advice, real-life insights, and supportive guidance for women navigating entrepreneurship in Abu Dhabi.”

This goal felt meaningful because it aligned with my values of education and empowerment. Every step of the process then felt purposeful because it served my bigger vision.

Your Turn: Make It Relevant

Take a moment to reflect on a goal you’re pursuing. Ask yourself “why does this goal matter to me?” “How does it align with my values and priorities?” And, “will achieving this goal move me closer to the life or business I want to create?”

If your goal feels disconnected from your bigger picture, that’s okay.  It happens.  Just consider revising it, so you don’t feel stuck down the line wondering why you undertook that objective in the first place.

That’s it for today, folks!  See you tomorrow in the last installment, where we’ll visit T for Time-bound!

A demain!