Too SMART to Start
Why a popular productivity strategy is sometimes the worst thing ever
Welcome to All the Tasks Fit to Print, my weekly newsletter on all issues productivity-related for authors (and other solopreneurs)!
One of the most popular recommendations for improving productivity is to use SMART goals. I cannot tell you how many meetings I sat through in my job in higher education that focused on teaching students this strategy. It's popular!
There is a good reason for its popularity, since it is actionable and easy to remember. It can be reduced to a simple checklist, or expanded out into a full project outline. It's versatile and customizable, which is something I look for in strategies like this.
However, it's not a cure-all, and it's not for everyone. If you tried the SMART goals technique and failed at it, I promise it is not you, it's them. "Them" in this case being the five criteria:
Specific: What do I want to accomplish?
Measurable: What does success look like?
Achievable: Is this reasonable for me given time/energy/money constraints?
Relevant: Why am I setting this goal?
Time-bound: What's my time line/deadline to finish?
You can really dig down into the weeds with this criteria, and people do. The University of California has a SMART Goals guide for students that is thirteen pages long. THIRTEEN PAGES!!! It's a great guide, and someone spent a lot of time creating it. I salute them! But there are plenty of other options out there, and any simple online search with give you dozens of "SMART starter packs" to help you use this strategy.
But here's the thing: if you are feeling overwhelmed, then sitting down to answer five questions is a huge ask.
That's before you even get to digging down into thirteen pages of instructions on how to answer those questions. They look like simple questions on the surface, and people often start beating themselves up for not being able to answer them. Isn't that supposed to help?
It can, and it does, but only if you are in a place mentally and emotionally to confront the questions and the answers. Also, if you are in possession of a unique neurodivergent brain, you simply may not be able to work with the built-in constraints of the technique. Here are some reasons why SMART Goals might not be for you:
Rigidity vs. flexibility: SMART Goals emphasize specificity and measurability, which inherently demand a degree of rigidity. For many people, for example those with ADHD, rigid structures can be oppressive. Their creative and divergent thinking often thrives under more flexible conditions that allow for spontaneous changes in direction and interest, which rigid goal-setting might not be compatible with.
The challenge of deadlines: The 'T' in SMART demands that goals have a strict timeline and/or deadline. However, if you experience challenges with executive functioning, you might find strict timelines unrealistic and anxiety-inducing, which is the exact opposite effect we're looking for. Time perception, time blindness, and time management can be fundamentally different for many types of brains, and overly rigid timelines can lead to procrastination and feelings of failure instead of the desired-for accomplishment.
Linear progress vs. the winding way: SMART Goals, like most popular productivity strategies, are typically linear, assuming a steady progression towards an achievement. Yet, for many people, progress may not be linear but cyclical or sporadic, with bursts of progress followed by periods of distraction or rest. This is especially true for people with chronic health issues or mental health disorders! This inability to "always move forward" on a strict schedule can lead to disillusionment, frustration, and goal abandonment.
Overemphasis on results: The emphasis on "Measurable and Achievable" aspects might overshadow the value of process and personal growth, particularly for goals related to emotional, social, or cognitive development, which are harder to quantify but equally important. Neurodivergent individuals might find their strengths and progress in these areas aren't adequately captured or valued within the SMART framework.
Personalization: The one-size-fits-all approach of SMART Goals doesn’t always align with the personalized strategies that actual human beings use to manage their lives and work effectively. Personalized goal-setting that takes into account individual coping mechanisms, interests, and variability in health levels and mental well-being can often be more beneficial.
In short, there is no One Perfect Productivity System, something I tend to bang the drum about a lot. People need goal-setting and task-accomplishment methods which suit their unique cognitive processes and empower their personal approach to their goals.
While I think people should find the productivity system that works best for them individually, that usually means cobbling together different techniques. For instance, I use both digital databases (to track tasks and organize projects) and hand-written to-do lists (because I love crossing things off! I love it! You can't take that away from me! I need my serotonin!!!).
This kind of mix-and-matching is easier to do than you might think. First, consider flexible goal setting and flex planning. Instead of rigid, time-bound objectives, flexible goals allow adjustments based on current capabilities, emotional state, and interest levels. This approach recognizes that productivity can vary and that goals may need to evolve. It might mean that your list of goals is more expansive than someone who can simply work on one project at a time, but if you helps you stay on target, then that is good enough.
Flexplanning, as I've talked about in the past, gives you leeway in your schedule to work on your goals as your energy and focus allows, rather than trapping you into a tight, unforgiving schedule.
Consider having process-oriented goals, or what I call "recipe goals." These are focused on the process of doing the thing, and allowing for variations in accomplishing it. If you are cooking a dish you are looking forward to eating, you still enjoy the act of putting all the ingredients together, and adding your own flair to the recipe (for instance, I always add more garlic than called for!). Shifting you focus from outcome to process encourages enjoying the journey and learning from it, putting the focus on personal growth and learning, which can be more motivating and less pressure-inducing than strictly measurable outcomes.
Chunking down tasks into basic steps helps a lot, but people often don't do this because they don't feel like they need to, or they simply find it too overwhelming. However it is a great approach as it allows for taking things one step at a time, with each small achievement providing motivation for the next. If you just don't see how to break something down, use apps like Goblin.tools to do it for you.
Look, if you don't have executive function skills, store bought is fine!
Finally, think outside the usual "productivity goals" box and use visual goal mapping. For many, a visual representation of goals and the paths to achieve them can be more engaging and less daunting than lists or written plans. Mind maps, vision boards, or even video playlists can offer a more intuitive and less linear way to organize and pursue goals.
You might find that SMART Goals are useful in specific settings, such as school or work, but unhelpful otherwise. You might decide to trash can the whole concept. That's fine! Either way, think carefully about why SMART Goals are not working for you, as the answer to that question will lead you to the solution you need and will use.