Having good listening skills can be a real game-changer. Not only does it help you to understand information better, but it can also make you a better communicator and team player.
But how do you go about sharpening your listening skills? One practical approach is to develop SMART goals for yourself.
To get started on this journey of mastering your listening skills, we have compiled a list of SMART goals examples that you can use to ensure you stay focused and motivated throughout the process.
What is a SMART Goal?
The SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-based) goal-setting techniques encourage you to develop practical listening goals.
For those unsure, SMART goals are:
Specific
The more detailed and focused your goals, the higher your chances of reaching them. Think about what’s stopping you from becoming a great listener.
Do you struggle with concentration when someone else is speaking? Or do you rush to advise on understanding the other person’s words? Once you identify the key points, you’ll have a precise action plan to follow.
Measurable
Having tangible evidence that your hard work has paid off is incredibly rewarding and motivating. By tracking your progress, you can stay focused on improving in areas where you struggle and make adjustments if necessary.
Having a system in place will refine how you listen so that the time spent practicing pays off in meaningful ways.
Attainable
When developing your listening goals, make sure you are realistic. Listening is a crucial skill, no matter what industry you’re in.
But many people overestimate what they can accomplish with it and end up feeling frustrated when their plans don’t pan out. To avoid this, consider what kind of outcome you’d like to reach and how long it will take to get there.
Relevant
We all have times when we feel uninspired. During these moments, pushing ourselves and staying focused on our goals might be problematic. But if you take the time to create relevant goals for yourself, you’ll find that spark of motivation to get going again.
Time-Based
To reach your dreams, having a timeline will keep you accountable. Whether launching a business or getting fit, setting out on the path to success requires time-bound goals. You’ll be able to stand firm and progress toward your objectives.
12 SMART Goals Examples to Boost Your Listening Skills
Let’s take a look at 12 examples of SMART goals for enhancing your listening skills:
1. Identify Key Points
SMART Goal: I will work on dedicating a portion of each day to actively listening and identifying the key points in conversations to better comprehend what’s being said. I plan to do this for at least two hours a week over the next 6 months.
- Specific: This goal is evident as the person has a plan to actively listen and identify critical points.
- Measurable: You can keep a log of the time spent each week honing this skill.
- Attainable: Devoting two hours a week is a realistic timeline to gain better listening skills.
- Relevant: Improving active listening is an essential skill for many professionals.
- Time-based: Goal achievement is anticipated after 6 months.
2. Be More Inquisitive
SMART Goal: To become a better listener, I’ll ask more questions in conversations. I will work on framing these questions respectfully and curiously to gain clarity and understanding of the mentioned topics by the end of three months.
- Specific: You’ll aim to become a better listener by asking more questions during conversations.
- Measurable: Make sure you frame and approach each question respectfully and curiously.
- Attainable: This is reachable because the individual is taking an active approach to improving their listening skills.
- Relevant: The goal is appropriate because it focuses on improving communication and listening.
- Time-based: This particular goal has a deadline of three months.
3. Take Notes
SMART Goal: After two months, I will take notes whenever I’m in a meeting or having a conversation. This will help me remember key details and focus on what’s being discussed in the conversations.
- Specific: The SMART goal is taking notes whenever there is an opportunity.
- Measurable: Progress can be determined by whether or not the individual has been taking notes.
- Attainable: Taking notes is a simple task that can be achieved.
- Relevant: This goal is appropriate because taking notes will help you remember key details and stay focused on the conversation.
- Time-based: This statement has been given a timeline of two months.
4. Listen Attentively
SMART Goal: I will practice active listening for one hour weekly for three months. During that time, I’ll focus on listening carefully to what people say, asking clarifying questions, and summarizing the conversation back to them.
- Specific: This specific goal focuses on active listening for one hour every week.
- Measurable: Track the number of hours you spend actively practicing listening.
- Attainable: Setting aside one hour weekly is a reasonable goal to achieve.
- Relevant: This goal is pertinent to your overall objective of becoming a better listener.
- Time-based: There is a three-month end date for meeting this goal.
5. Build Self-Awareness
SMART Goal: I’ll complete a self-awareness assessment to gain insight into my strengths and weaknesses in listening by the end of two months. I want to identify areas I need to work on and develop improvement plans.
- Specific: This is specific because you’ll complete a self-awareness assessment to gain insight into your strengths and weaknesses in terms of listening.
- Measurable: Ensure you complete the self-awareness assessment correctly to reach success.
- Attainable: This SMART goal is achievable if you take the time to complete an assessment and create a well-thought-out improvement plan.
- Relevant: Building self-awareness is essential to identify areas that need development and improve one’s overall listening skills.
- Time-based: Goal attainment is expected by the end of two months.
6. Seek Feedback
SMART Goal: I will actively seek feedback on my listening abilities from colleagues, friends, and family every quarter. For 5 months, I want to actively listen to them and hear what they need me to hear.
- Specific: You have an actionable plan for getting feedback on your listening skills.
- Measurable: This goal is measurable regarding the frequency of your feedback seeking.
- Attainable: This goal is achievable, assuming you have a network of people willing to provide feedback.
- Relevant: This goal relates to your primary objective of improving your listening skills.
- Time-based: You should expect to achieve this goal within 5 months.
7. Leverage Technology
SMART Goal: I will use technology to enhance my listening skills in the four months ahead. For one hour daily, I want to keep up with current trends, so I’ll use tools like online tutorials and audio recordings to sharpen my listening skills.
- Specific: The goal is evident in that the individual wants to use technology to enhance their listening skills.
- Measurable: The person will use tools like online tutorials and audio recordings for one hour daily.
- Attainable: Leveraging technology is an achievable goal if given the right resources.
- Relevant: Developing your listening skills with technology is a suitable goal.
- Time-based: Goal achievement will be met within four months.
8. Challenge Assumptions
SMART Goal: By the end of this quarter, I will challenge my assumptions and seek out different perspectives to ensure that decisions are based on facts and data, not just my preconceived notions. I’ll spend 10 minutes each day asking myself what other perspectives may exist to improve my listening skills.
- Specific: The listener aims to challenge their assumptions and seek different perspectives instead of relying on preconceived notions.
- Measurable: You will spend 10 minutes a day asking yourself what other perspectives may exist.
- Attainable: This is absolutely doable if given the necessary resources and time.
- Relevant: This goal relates to the individual’s desire to improve their listening skills.
- Time-based: One quarter (three months) is required to achieve this goal.
9. Pay Attention to Body Language
SMART Goal: I will actively track body language and facial expressions during conversations to better comprehend the feelings of others by the end of two months. This allows me to become more attuned to the emotions and thoughts of people around me.
- Specific: This goal outlines the exact behavioral change you want to observe.
- Measurable: You can track how often you observe body language and facial expressions in conversations.
- Attainable: Body language and facial expressions are tangible things that you can actively observe, making this goal feasible.
- Relevant: Observing body language and facial expressions will help you pay better attention to the emotions of others.
- Time-based: There is a two-month timeline for goal completion.
10. Listen to Podcasts
SMART Goal: I’ll strive to set aside 15 minutes daily to listen to podcasts that focus on communication and listening skills to improve my understanding by the end of one month. I will also take notes on the main points discussed in each podcast to help me recall and apply what I’ve learned.
- Specific: This goal is well-defined, outlining what the listener will do to improve their listening skills.
- Measurable: The listener can track their progress by taking notes on the main points discussed each day.
- Attainable: Fifteen minutes a day is a reasonable amount of time to dedicate to listening and taking notes.
- Relevant: This goal is appropriate because it focuses on improving the listener’s understanding through podcasts.
- Time-based: You have one month to accomplish this particular goal.
11. Don’t Interrupt Others
SMART Goal: I want to boost my listening skills and refrain from interrupting others by the end of four months. This includes giving others time to express themselves without judgment and allowing topics to unfold and be fully discussed. I hope to ensure that everyone has their voice heard and respected.
- Specific: This statement is explicit because it’s about refining your listening skills.
- Measurable: Determine how many times you successfully refrain from interrupting.
- Attainable: Improving listening skills can be done with practice and dedication.
- Relevant: This goal applies to many areas of life, from work to personal relationships.
- Time-based: Refrain from interrupting until four months later.
12. Encourage Others to Talk
SMART Goal: I intend to create an amicable environment by listening more and talking less. I will encourage my colleagues to share their opinions and ideas by avoiding dominating the conversation and affirming their contributions to the discussion. I’ll become more comfortable listening for longer periods, which should be achieved in three months.
- Specific: The goal outlines the objective and timeline for completion.
- Measurable: This could be measured by how often others speak up in meetings or conversations.
- Attainable: It is realistic to become more comfortable listening for extended periods.
- Relevant: As a successful listener, you should allow others an opportunity to talk.
- Time-based: The goal has a timeline of three months for completion.
Final Thoughts
Listening is an invaluable skill that can be improved with practice and setting SMART goals. Remember to be realistic to stay motivated throughout the journey. With some dedication, the SMART system will help you become a better listener and excel in all life areas.
So don’t forget to hone your listening skills every day. Whether through active listening or taking notes, work towards elevating your listening skills to the next level.
