When I first set that goal at 15 years old, it felt monumental—almost impossible. How do you even begin to work toward something so far away, so massive in scale, and so full of uncertainty? The answer, I would later learn, lies in setting SMART goals.
What Are SMART Goals?
SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Based. These are the pillars that turn big, vague dreams into clear, actionable steps.
- Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve.
- Measurable: Set a goal that can be tracked and evaluated.
- Attainable: Make sure the goal is realistic based on your current abilities and circumstances.
- Relevant: Align your goals with your larger vision or purpose.
- Time-Based: Give your goal a deadline so you can stay accountable.
The beauty of smart-goals is that they bring clarity and structure to ambition. They allow you to take something that feels overwhelming and turn it into a series of manageable steps.
How SMART Goals Shaped My Olympic Journey
When I was 15, my dream of becoming an Olympic champion in BMX racing was about as big as it gets. There were hundreds of riders around the world who shared that same dream, and most of them were older, faster, and more experienced than me. So, I had to break it down.
My first SMART goal wasn’t “win the Olympics.” That would have been far too big. Instead, it was something much more specific and attainable:
- Step one: Become the best 15-year-old on the West Coast of the U.S.
- Step two: Become the best 15-year-old in the entire country.
- Step three: Turn professional and make my first final.
- Step four: Earn a podium finish.
- Step five: Win a professional race.
- Step six: Win a World Cup.
- Step seven: Win a World Championship.
- Step eight: Qualify for the Olympics.
- Step nine: Win gold.
Each goal built on the one before it. Each one was specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based. One by one, I checked them off.
By breaking a massive dream into a clear sequence of smart-goals, I was able to measure progress, stay motivated, and focus on the next right step rather than being overwhelmed by the finish line.
The Two Types of SMART Goals: Result-Based and Process-Based
In sports and in life there are two kinds of SMART goals: result-based and training-based.
Result-based goals are about outcomes: finishing in a certain position, hitting a specific time, or reaching a measurable milestone. For example:
“I want to make the final at the National Championships this season.”
That’s clear, measurable, and time-bound.
Training-based goals are about the process and habits that get you there. For example:
“I want to improve my sprint time by two-tenths of a second by July.”
Both types are critical. You need the results to aim for, but you also need the process-based goals to guide your daily actions. Without them, big dreams stay just that, dreams.
The Power of Attainable Goals
One of the biggest mistakes people make is setting goals that are too big, too fast. When I was 15, I couldn’t set a goal of beating the best riders in the world right away. That would have been discouraging and unrealistic.
Instead, I focused on what was attainable in that moment. Once I achieved it, I moved to the next level. This is how progress compounds small wins build momentum, and momentum builds confidence.
Why SMART Goals Work
The reason smart-goals are so powerful is simple: they give direction to your effort. Without a roadmap, even the most motivated person can lose focus. SMART goals keep you on track, help you measure progress, and allow you to celebrate victories along the way.
They’re the bridge between where you are and where you want to go.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re chasing a gold medal, a promotion, or a personal milestone, smart-goals are the key to turning your vision into reality.
Big dreams are intimidating but when you break them down into specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based steps, you realize that success isn’t about one giant leap. It’s about thousands of small, intentional steps in the right direction.
If a 15 year old kid from Las Vegas could use smart-goals to go from local BMX races to the top of the Olympic podium, imagine what they can do for you.
– Connor Fields
