SMART Goals Setting

This tool is aimed to support everyone with SMART Goal setting. We have created nine animations that align with the 9 HSE outcomes along with sample smart goals and some of the actions that need to be recorded while support someone to achieve their goals.

1. Living in your own home in the community

Goal 1: John would like to live in his family home independently by December 2024.

ACTIONS 

  1. Independent Living Skills: Look at what skills John needs to live on his own, like cooking, cleaning, and managing money. Create a plan to help him learn these skills and track his progress.
  2. Set Up Support Services: Arrange for support, such as a helper or support worker, who can visit John regularly to assist with daily tasks and provide help when needed.
  3. Make the Home Safe: Look at John’s family home and make any changes needed, like adding safety rails or making the bathroom easier to use, to ensure it’s safe and supports his independence.

Goal 2: Joan wants to find a new home that meets her specific needs by February 2025 through reassessment and collaboration with key medical and housing authorities for a comfortable and supportive living environment.

Actions

  1. Identify Independent Living Skills Requirements: Assess Joan’s daily living skills to determine what support she needs to live independently in a new home.
  2. Work with Social and Housing Authorities: Collaborate with social services and housing authorities to find suitable housing options that meet Joan’s needs for a comfortable living environment.
  3. Explore Suitable Housing Options: Look at different housing options, including local community housing, assisted living, or specialized accommodations, and set up visits so Joan can choose what feels right for her.

2. Have choice and control in your life

Goal 3: With staff support, Sam will go on 1-1 trips throughout the year to identify and plan trips by November 2024 to enhance independence.

ACTIONS 

  1. Discover Interests: Meet with Sam to talk about his interests and the types of trips he would like to take.
  2. Research and Plan Trips: Work with Sam to research possible destinations and activities, then create a plan for each trip, including transportation, costs, and any support needed.
  3. Go on Practice Trips: Support Sam on short 1-on-1 outings to help him build confidence and independence in planning and participating in trips.

Goal 4: Ann would like to go on a train journey by November 2024 to enhance independence in travel planning with staff assistance.

Actions

  1. Choose a Train Route: Work with Ann to select a specific train route from Heuston Station to a nearby destination that she is comfortable with.
  2. Create a Step-by-Step Travel Plan: Assist Ann in planning the trip, including booking tickets from Heuston Station, checking train schedules, and preparing a checklist of items to bring.
  3. Practice at Heuston Station: Schedule practice visits to Heuston Station with Ann to familiarize her with purchasing tickets, finding platforms, and navigating the station’s layout.

3. Participating in social and civic life

Goal 5: Mary would like to travel and explore new destinations twice a month starting next month.

Actions 

  1. Create a Travel Calendar: Work with Mary to set up a calendar, selecting two specific dates each month for community outings. Include potential destinations and community events she is interested in exploring.
  2. Plan Each Trip: Assist Mary in researching destinations, checking transportation options, and arranging necessary travel details to ensure smooth and enjoyable outings.
  3. Evaluate Each Outing: After each trip, discuss with Mary what she enjoyed and what could be improved to help plan future outings that align with her interests.

Goal 6. Daniel will join a local football team within the next month with the support of my keyworker to enjoy playing sports and socializing with new people.

ACTIONS

  1. Research Local Teams: The keyworker will help Daniel find local football teams that match his skill level and schedule, identifying teams with open spots for new players.
  2. Attend a Trial Session: Support Daniel in attending a trial or practice session to meet the team and get a feel for the environment, ensuring it aligns with his interests.
  3. Arrange Registration: Assist Daniel with the registration process, including filling out any necessary forms and arranging transportation to practices and games if needed.

4. Meaningful personal relationship

GOAL 7: Spend more time with my friend John, who has moved to another center, by December 2024 to maintain the friendship.

ACTIONS:

  1. Plan Visits: Coordinate with John’s new center to arrange regular visits, either at his location or a mutually convenient place, ensuring both schedules align.
  2. Set Up Communication: Help set up regular phone or video calls with John to stay connected in between visits, strengthening the bond despite the distance.
  3. Organise Shared Activities: Identify activities that both enjoy, such as outings, games, or events, and plan them in advance to create meaningful time together.

Goal 8: Spend time with my best friend Teresa twice a month to nurture and maintain a close friendship, starting next month.

ACTIONS

  1. Schedule Meetups: Plan and schedule specific dates twice a month to meet Teresa, choosing activities or locations that you both enjoy.
  2. Arrange Transportation: Ensure that transportation is arranged for both of you to easily meet up, whether by public transport, carpooling, or staff assistance.
  3. Plan Activities: Decide on activities or outings in advance, such as going for a coffee, visiting a park, or attending an event, to make the time spent together enjoyable and meaningful.

5. Opportunity for Personal Development

GOAL 9: I want to be more independent by learning new skills like putting away my coat/hat, cleaning up after meals, and organising belongings by December 2024.

ACTIONS

  1. Create a Visual Schedule: Develop a visual guide showing step-by-step instructions for tasks like putting away a coat/hat, cleaning up after meals, and organizing belongings to use as a daily reference.
  2. Practice Daily: Set aside time each day to practice these tasks with staff support or reminders, gradually reducing assistance as you become more confident.
  3. Positive Reinforcement: Provide encouragement and positive feedback after completing each task to build confidence and reinforce these new skills.

Goal 10: Participate in a weekly co-design program at TUDublin for 13 weeks, starting in February 2025, to develop personal skills and contribute to creative projects.

Actions

  1. Ensure Commitment to Attend: Develop a plan to stay committed to attending all 13 weeks of workshops at TUDublin, including setting reminders and arranging transport.
  2. Arrange Support: Coordinate with staff or a keyworker to provide assistance with transportation, preparation for each session, and any materials needed for the creative projects.
  3. Set Personal Goals: Before the program begins, identify specific personal skills you want to develop and discuss how to actively contribute to the co-design projects during the sessions.

6. Have a job or Social Role

GOAL11: Goal: Explore volunteer opportunities at a radio station by January 2025 to develop valued social roles and contribute to the community.

ACTIONS:

  1. Research Opportunities: Identify local radio stations and gather information on their volunteer programs by contacting them or checking their websites.
  2. Contact Radio Stations: Reach out to selected radio stations to inquire about available volunteer roles, application processes, and any required qualifications.
  3. Prepare for Application: With support from a keyworker, prepare any necessary documents, such as a resume or cover letter, and practice communication skills to confidently discuss your interest in volunteering during interviews.

Goal 12: Goal: Re-engage with evening clubs put on hold due to COVID-19 by next month to maintain valued social roles and community connections.

Actions

  1. Research Club Schedules: Identify which evening clubs have reopened and review their current schedules, locations, and safety guidelines.
  2. Contact Club Organizers: Reach out to the club organizers to express interest in rejoining, confirm availability, and understand any changes in participation requirements.
  3. Plan Transportation and Support: Arrange transportation and any necessary support to ensure consistent attendance at the clubs starting next month.

7. Enjoying Good Quality of Life

Goal 13: Participate in community activities music and bingo twice a month to improve my overall quality of life by increasing social engagement, starting next month.

Actions

  1. Create a Schedule: Develop a monthly calendar marking music and bingo events in the community to plan for consistent participation.
  2. Arrange Necessary Support: Coordinate with support staff or family members to ensure assistance with transportation and attendance at these activities.
  3. Set Reminders: Use phone alarms or a wall calendar as reminders for the upcoming events to encourage regular involvement.

Goal 14: Attend a dance class weekly to stay active and enjoy dancing, starting next month.

Actions

  1. Find a Suitable Dance Class: Research local dance classes that match your interests and schedule. Ensure the class is accessible and meets any physical needs.
  2. Arrange Registration: Sign up for the chosen dance class, confirming details like location, time, and any fees involved.
  3. Set Weekly Reminders: Use a calendar or phone to set weekly reminders to prepare for the dance class, including gathering needed items like dance attire or a water bottle.

8. Achieve best possible HEALTH

Goal 16: Follow a healthier diet plan and join a Well-Being group to achieve weight loss goals by October 2025 to improve overall health.

Actions

  1. Develop a Diet Plan: Work with a nutritionist or dietitian to create a personalized, healthier diet plan tailored to specific needs and goals.
  2. Join Weight Watchers: Register for a local Weight Watchers group and schedule regular meetings to receive guidance, support, and track progress.
  3. Meal Preparation: Create a weekly meal prep routine, including grocery shopping for healthy foods, to ensure adherence to the diet plan.

Goal 17: Go swimming once a week at St Raphael, Celbridge, every Tuesday from 11:15 am to 12:15 pm, starting August 2024, to maintain physical fitness.

Actions

  1. Confirm Booking: Contact St. Raphael’s to book the swimming slot every Tuesday from 11:15 am to 12:15 pm, starting in August 2024, and verify the facility’s availability.
  2. Prepare Swimming Essentials: Pack a swim bag each week with essentials such as a swimsuit, towel, toiletries, and any required equipment.
  3. Set Up Transportation: Arrange reliable transportation to and from St. Raphael’s for the weekly swimming sessions to ensure consistent attendance.

9. Safe, healthy and supported

Goal 18: Learn to travel safely on public transport by completing weekly travel training sessions within the next three months to increase safety and independence.

Actions

  1. Create a Training Schedule: Arrange weekly travel training sessions with support staff or a travel trainer to practice using public transport, including buses and trains.
  2. Plan and Practice Routes: Select a specific, safe travel route to practice, such as traveling to a familiar location like a shopping center or community center, focusing on how to navigate to and from the bus stop or train station.
  3. Learn Safety Tips: During each session, go over essential safety tips, such as using a transit card, reading schedules, asking for help, and what to do in case of an emergency.

Goal 19: Recognize physical limits due to medical conditions and avoid overexertion by September 2024 to prevent injury and manage energy levels.

Actions

  1. Consult with Healthcare Provider: Schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional to discuss specific physical limitations and receive personalized advice on managing energy levels.
  2. Create an Activity Plan: Develop a weekly activity plan that includes regular breaks and low-impact exercises, ensuring activities are paced to avoid overexertion.
  3. Use Self-Monitoring Techniques: Learn to recognise signs of fatigue and overexertion by using self-monitoring techniques, such as tracking physical activity in a journal and noting when rest is needed.

Understanding SMART Goals

SMART goals help you set clear and achievable things you want to do. By following five key steps, you can turn your ideas into actions that lead to real results.

Let’s see how this works with an example:

Vague Goal: “I want to get healthier.”

SMART Goal: “I will go for a 30-minute walk every day starting next week to improve my health and feel better.”

In this example, the vague idea of “getting healthier” becomes a clear and actionable plan. Here’s how you can do the same:

How to Set SMART Goals

  1. Make Your Goal SPECIFIC
  • Be clear about what you want to achieve.
  • Ask yourself: What exactly do I want to do? Why is it important?
  • Specific: “I will go for a walk” Why? “To improve my health and feel better”
  1. Make Your Goal MEASURABLE
  • Include details that allow you to track your progress.
  • Measurable: “Walk for 30 minutes” Think about how you will record the 30 minutes!
  1. Make Your Goal ACHIEVABLE
  • Ensure your goal is realistic and something you can do.
  • Achievable: “I will start with a 30-minute walk, which I can do in the morning before I get the bus to my day service at 10 am.”
  1. Make Your Goal RELEVANT
  • Choose goals that matter to you and will help you in the long run.
  • Relevant: “Walking daily will help me improve my health and feel better.”
  1. Make Your Goal TIME-BASED
  • Set a deadline or a specific time to achieve your goal.
  • Time: “I will start walking 30 min every day, starting next week.”

By following these steps, your goals become clear and achievable. They help you focus on what you need to do and make it easier to see your progress.

Remember: SMART goals are not just for work; they can help you achieve personal goals, too. Whether it’s getting healthier, learning a new skill, or spending more time with friends, SMART goals can guide you in the right direction.

What are the Key Principles of Goal Setting?

  • Appreciation for each individual and the contributions they make
  • Active listening – both to verbal and non-verbal information
  • Individuality – goals reflect the interests and choices of the person
  • Focus on ability; process promotes independence and self-direction
  • Process supports social inclusion and the development of valued social roles.
  • Positive risk taking
  • Focus on benefits and opportunities rather than barriers and challenges
  • Honesty
  • Shared expectations
  • System supports recording and review; information is accessible to all
  • Time and space for reflection
  • Outcomes focused
  • Accountability