In SMART goal setting, what does 'M' represent?

In SMART goal setting, the 'M' stands for Measurable. This means that a goal should have clear criteria to track progress and determine if it has been achieved. Establishing measurable objectives allows individuals to quantify their success, making it easier to assess progress over time. For example, instead of saying "I want to increase my sales," a measurable goal would be "I want to increase my sales by 20% over the next quarter." This clarity facilitates motivation and accountability, as it sets specific targets to aim for and evaluate.

In contrast, terms like Manageable, Motivational, and Meaningful, while they may be relevant in the context of goal setting, do not capture the essential requirement of being able to measure success and progress, which is fundamental to the effectiveness of the SMART framework.