Estimated read time: 7 minutes
Goals.
We all have them.
Whether it’s to move up the ranks at work, become a better version of ourselves, or enjoy those grand little moments in life, we’re driven by the targets we set for ourselves.
But setting the right goals — ones that are both achievable and fulfilling — isn’t always straightforward. Often, we find our dreams marred by vague aspirations and aimless plans. But what if there was a way to empower your goals, to make them shine like stars in a boundless sky?
Today, we’ll learn about STAR goals. Let’s dive into how these goals can transform your aspirations into reality, sparking your interest and igniting a burning desire for change, prompting you to take action today.
What are STAR goals?
STAR goals are your blueprint for success.
They stand for:
- Specific,
- Timely,
- Achievable, and
- Relevant.
These goals are meticulously designed to be precise, ensuring you know exactly when you’ve hit your target.
They’re bound by time, keeping you on track and motivated as you see your progress unfolding.
Achievability is key – setting the bar at the right height to challenge yourself without tipping into discouragement.
Lastly, they must resonate with your broader life ambitions, ensuring every effort moves you closer to where you truly want to be.
How are STAR goals different than SMART goals?
While STAR goals and SMART goals share similarities in their approach to goal setting, each method has its unique elements that cater to different aspects of personal and professional growth.
SMART goals, a concept referenced across the productivity world, are characterized by being:
- Specific,
- Measurable,
- Achievable,
- Relevant, and
- Time-bound.
The critical difference lies in the ‘M’—Measurable. This criterion stresses quantifying progress, making it critical for objectives that benefit from clear, numerical benchmarks. You’ll notice that the explicit call-out for measurability, as seen in the SMART framework, isn’t directly mentioned in the STAR framework.
On the other hand, STAR goals emphasize Timeliness over measurable outcomes, prioritizing urgency and momentum in pursuit of a goal. However, the essence of measurability is woven into the fabric of STAR goals, particularly through their specificity and timeliness.
This subtle yet impactful shift makes STAR goals particularly effective for projects or objectives where progress isn’t easily quantified, but staying on schedule is paramount. By focusing on timeliness, STAR goals encourage continuous movement forward, fostering an environment of growth and dynamic adaptability.
Why are STAR goals useful?
In a world brimming with distractions and competing priorities, having a focused approach to goal-setting can mean the difference between daydreaming and actual achievement. STAR goals cut through the noise, offering clarity and direction.
- Specificity eliminates ambiguity, making your objectives crystal clear.
- Timeliness provides momentum, keeping you engaged and proactive.
- Achievability boosts confidence, turning daunting tasks into manageable actions.
- Relevance ensures alignment, aligning your efforts with your life’s purpose.
This method isn’t just about reaching your goals. It’s about doing so in a way that’s efficient, effective, and truly gratifying.
Your step-by-step guide for setting a STAR goal
Embarking on the journey of setting STAR goals is both exciting and transformative. There are just three steps to setting STAR goals. They are:
- Understand what you want to achieve and why.
- Design a plan to get it, including a timeline.
- Ask yourself if your plan is achievable.
Now, let’s talk about the details of each, so that you can follow this guide and begin turning your dreams into actionable plans.
1. Understand what you want to achieve and why.
First, pinpoint exactly what your goal is and dig deep to uncover the driving force behind it. Ask yourself, “What will achieving this goal bring into my life?”
Understanding the ‘why’ provides motivation and a deeper connection to your goal, making it more compelling to pursue.
If you need more guidance on this step, we have many more detailed articles that will help you define your direction.
2. Design a plan to get it, including a timeline.
Make a list of actionable steps that will achieve the goal you want and set a realistic timeline for each. If you’re not sure what to do to achieve your goal, make your first task ‘Research’ and continue building your plan once you’ve done that.
The roadmap you create will serve as your guide, helping you stay focused and measure progress. Remember, a goal without a plan is just a wish.
3. Ask yourself if your plan is achievable.
Critically assess your plan to ensure it’s within your reach, given your current resources, skills, and time frame. Ask yourself honestly, “Is my goal attainable?” If it feels too ambitious, consider scaling back or breaking it down into smaller, more manageable goals.
Now, let’s walk through an example.
Here's an example using my personal STAR goal
Examples can really help clarify things and make them easier to understand, don’t you think?
The Backstory
In 2023, I reached a certain age milestone and suddenly realized the importance of prioritizing my physical well-being. With only one body to use during this lifetime, it became clear that taking good care of it is paramount. I decided to set broader objectives around achieving better health and fitness. (Sidebar: I often use the DUMB goals framework to set goals for these broader objectives.)
For me, maintaining motivation is challenging unless I have tangible data to demonstrate progress. I began researching the latest solutions available for monitoring health in generally fit individuals. Solutions like Inside Tracker and continuous glucose monitoring services like Signos caught my attention.
I decided to purchase an Inside Tracker plan during a sale and excitedly booked my blood-draw appointment. About a week later, I received my results, which provided valuable insights to shape my goal-setting journey!
Writing my STAR goal
Happily, I only had one test result that was out of normal range, Vitamin D. There is a lot of information available online (and in the Inside Tracker app) about why Vitamin D is important so I won’t get into that here, but I did read that information to understand how Vitamin D affects our overall health.
Next, it was time to create a time-bound action plan. I knew that I wanted to retest myself in 6 months, so that became part of my goal. The Inside Tracker app suggested an amount of Vitamin D supplement to take to improve my levels. (I’m not going to share that amount here. I am not a doctor, and that isn’t the point of this example.)
Finally, I wrote my STAR goal:
I will increase my Vitamin D levels into the Optimal range for my next Inside Tracker test in six months by taking a [specific amount] of Vitamin D every day.
The last step was to ask myself, “Is this goal attainable?” The answer was ‘yes.’ It is pretty straightforward to find and take a high-quality Vitamin D supplement every day. To track daily routine tasks like this, I use an app called Daylio on my phone (#notsponsored). It helps me stay motivated by monitoring streaks and charting completion over time.
By following the action plan I set for myself in my STAR goal, I was able to increase my Vitamin D levels into the Optimal range and achieve my goal!
Considerations For Successfully Setting STAR Goals
Success in setting and achieving STAR goals often comes down to flexibility and perseverance. Life will give you unexpected challenges. Being willing to adjust your plans while staying committed to your end goal is crucial.
Regularly review and adjust your goals as needed to keep them relevant and achievable.
Taking it to the Next Level: How to go beyond your STAR goals
Once you’ve mastered setting and achieving STAR goals, challenge yourself further by stretching your ambitions.
Think bigger, aim higher, and explore new areas of growth. Try financial goals, another personal goal, business goals… The sky is the limit!
The skills and confidence you develop will support you in reaching even loftier heights.
Alternatives to STAR goals
While STAR goals offer a robust framework, they’re not the only game in town. There are many other goal setting techniques you can try. Here are a few:
- SMART goals, which emphasize Measurability alongside the STAR criteria we’ve discussed today,
- BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals), which encourage thinking big to foster creativity and innovation, and
- OKRs (Objectives and Key Results), which link your big-picture goals to several smaller measurements of progress.
You can also check out our article listing all the goal setting techniques we think are amazing.
Wrapping Up: My Experience With Using STAR Goals
Implementing STAR goals introduced me to a valuable framework for goal setting. This approach offered me the precision and organization required to transform ambiguous concepts into realistic goals, while avoiding excessive fixation on daily metrics.
It’s a game-changer for anyone looking to make significant life changes or simply refine their goal-setting process. Give it a try, and you might just find yourself achieving things you once thought were out of reach.
