You found our list of fun SMART goals activities.
SMART goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound objectives designed to streamline success. SMART goals activities are exercises that help employees better understand how to set effective goals. Examples include SMART goals buddy systems and SMART goal vision boards. The purpose of these activities is help team members put each element of the SMART framework into practice. These ideas are also known as “smart goals activities for adults” and “smart goal activities examples.”
These goals are a type of professional development activity similar to goal setting activities and team building objectives.
This list includes:
- SMART goals activities for adults
- SMART goal activities examples
- SMART goal activities for students
- SMART goal games
- SMART team goals examples
Let’s get to it!
List of SMART goals activities
From Reverse Engineering Sessions to Time Capsule SMART Goal-Setting, here is our list of the best SMART goals exercises.
1. SMART Goals Escape Room
Escape rooms make one of the most creative SMART goal games. You can create an escape room challenge where employees must meet metrics within timelines to unlock the next clue.
The first individual or team to meet all goals, crack all clues, and escape “the room” wins the challenge, and a fun prize.
Read more about how to create a DIY escape room.
2. SMART Goals Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt for SMART goals is a fun way to learn about setting Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals.
Participants find items or complete tasks that fit these goals. For example, players might bookmark five articles on a goal-related topic, brainstorm three time-management tactics, and create a team chat for ideas or encouragement.
This activity makes learning about SMART goals engaging and memorable while encouraging creativity and problem-solving. This exercise also makes one of the most fun SMART goal activities for students.
Check out more scavenger hunt ideas.
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3. Goal-Setting Buddy System
Partnering with a friend or colleague in a Goal-Setting Buddy System helps employees reach goals with support, accountability, and motivation.
Regular check-ins and feedback keep folks on track and offer new perspectives.
Discussing goals and celebrating milestones builds teamwork, morale, and confidence.
This approach creates a supportive environment for personal growth and development, leading to better progress and stronger motivation.
4. Interactive Goal-Setting Apps
Apps for setting and tracking goals can be very useful for achieving success.
These tools have easy-to-use features, customizable options, progress tracking, and reminders to motivate folks.
These apps help by breaking goals into tasks, setting deadlines, and showing your real-time progress.
Examples:
- Click-Up
- Strides
- Todoist
- GoalsOnTrack
- Lattice
The software can make employees more accountable and motivated, boosting their chances of success.
5. SMART Goals Hackathons
SMART Goals Hackathons are events where team members work together to achieve goals using the SMART criteria.
These events provide a structured space for brainstorming and planning to reach objectives quickly.
By combining SMART goals with the fast pace of a hackathon, participants can develop effective strategies and boost productivity.
Taking part in SMART Goals Hackathons helps employees improve their goal-setting skills, encourages creativity and teamwork, and breaks down big goals into smaller tasks with deadlines. This experience can enhance how goals are set and increase motivation for achieving personal and professional dreams.
Read about virtual hackathons.
6. Team SMART Goals Leaderboard Spreadsheet
A Team Goals Leaderboard Spreadsheet helps track and manage team goals organizationally. The leaderboard lists each member’s specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals, making it easy to see progress and hold everyone accountable.
A good spreadsheet includes columns for names, goals, completion dates, status updates, and notes. Regular updates track team members’ progress and help leaders offer support if needed.
This leaderboard is one of the best SMART team goals examples.
7. Reverse Engineering Sessions
Reverse engineering sessions are one of the most helpful SMART goals activities for adults. The process involves examining a process or product to understand how it works, to improve or copy it.
By analyzing and breaking down designs, employees learn from existing solutions, adapt them for new uses, and generate new ideas. This method helps individuals grasp basic principles and apply them in new ways.
Here are the steps:
- Define End Goals: Identify the specific, measurable objectives you want to achieve.
- Work Backwards: Break down the end goals into smaller, actionable steps and milestones.
- Assign Responsibilities: Designate team members to each step and milestone.
- Set Deadlines: Establish clear deadlines for each action item and milestone.
Reverse engineering encourages curiosity and continuous learning, offering a unique way to understand successful products and enhance innovation.
8. Milestone Celebrations
Celebrating milestones is important for recognizing progress and success toward goals. Acknowledging team members’ achievements helps keep teammates motivated. Celebrating milestones, big or small, maintains momentum and gives a sense of accomplishment. It reinforces positive actions and encourages a growth mindset, which is important for reaching goals. Milestone celebrations are key for motivation and success while working toward goals.
Here are more milestones to celebrate at work.
9. Peer-Reviewed Project Pitches
Peer-reviewed project pitches involve sharing proposals with colleagues for feedback. This process helps ensure high-quality ideas are feasible and aligned with goals.
You can turn the review into an energetic pitch event where employees present to other team members.
By getting peer input, teams can improve their projects, stay accountable, and generate new ideas. Ultimately, this approach helps refine goals and strategies through collective review and analysis.
10. Mentorship SMART Goal Meetups
Mentorship SMART Goal Meetups are events where employees seeking guidance work with experienced mentors to set SMART goals. These meetings offer valuable advice and support from mentors with relevant experience.
By joining these meetups, individuals get help setting and reaching their goals, boosting their personal and professional growth.
The one-on-one mentorship makes the process more personalized, encouraging accountability and motivation.
Participants get clear direction and support in these meetups to achieve their goals.
Learn more about mentor program ideas.
11. SMART Goal Vision Board
SMART Goal Vision Boards are one of the most creative SMART goal activities examples.
By adding images, quotes, and affirmations related to your goals, you can more easily visualize the results.
This board helps you break down big goals into smaller, manageable steps and keep track of your progress.
Regularly updating the board keeps you committed and turns your dreams into clear, actionable targets that drive progress in your life.
Learn more about virtual vision board workshop.
12. SMART Goal Reflection Retreat
A retreat for reflecting on SMART goals is a dedicated time to review one’s progress toward those goals. Participants examine how well they’ve met Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals to see what’s worked and what needs improvement.
For example, activities like journaling or group discussions offer new insights.
Taking a break from daily work helps folks clear their minds and refocus on their aims. In a calm setting, employees can reflect on what they have achieved and the challenges they have faced.
The retreat also encourages accountability with peer feedback, creating a supportive community focused on team success. This reflection can improve goal-setting skills and lead to better achievements.
Learn more about leadership retreat.
13. SMART Goals Card Game
A SMART Goals Card Game is a fun way to practice setting SMART goals. Players draw cards with different scenarios and work together to create SMART goals for each. This game helps improve goal-setting skills while encouraging teamwork and clear thinking. The activity shows how to break big goals into smaller, manageable tasks that fit SMART criteria.
How to make the game:
- Design the Cards: Create cards with categories such as Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, with example prompts for each.
- Define the Rules: Outline simple rules for players using the cards to set and discuss SMART goals.
- Prepare Scenarios: Include cards with different scenarios or goals for players to work on and refine using SMART criteria.
By playing, employees learn the importance of clear, time-bound objectives and how they lead to better productivity and success.
Here are online card games.
14. Time Capsule SMART Goal-Setting
Creating a SMART goals time capsule is a fun way for a team to set and review their goals later. Here’s how to do it:
- Write Down Goals: Each team member writes their SMART goals on paper.
- Review Together: Collect and review all goals as a group to ensure they are SMART and make any needed changes.
- Prepare the Capsule: Put the goals into a container or box and include a brief description of their purpose.
- Seal and Label: Close the container and label it with the date it will be opened, like in a year.
This way, the team can open the time capsule in the future to see how they’ve done and celebrate their progress.
15. SMART Goal Roleplaying Session
In a SMART goal role-playing session, participants act out scenarios to practice setting Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals.
By playing different roles and simulating real-life situations, team members practice ways that SMART elements achieve success. Role-playing helps folks better understand and apply SMART goals in both personal and professional situations.
Learn more about goal-setting activities.
16. SMART Goals Bingo
“SMART Goals Bingo” is a fun game that helps participants understand SMART goals. Participants create bingo cards with Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound tasks and goals. As team members meet these goals, they mark them off on their cards. This game makes goal-setting more engaging and helps team members learn about SMART goals in a fun way.
You can also play Icebreaker Bingo.
Final Thoughts
Trying different SMART goals and activities can change how teams work toward their goals. Fun methods like hackathons or interactive apps make goal-setting more engaging and improve understanding and commitment. Each activity offers a new way to set and achieve goals while boosting teamwork and creativity. Using these strategies helps the whole team stay focused on the organization’s main goals.
Next, check out our posts on succession planning, virtual event planning best practices, management by objectives, employee coaching, and collaboration skills.
