The CATALYST recently hosted the workshop SMART Goal Setting: Turning Ideas into Achievable Action facilitated by Karen Camblin with Karen Camblin - Guild Mortgage Company and Melanie Nemtez with Melanie Nemtez Team – Keller Williams Integrity First, where participants learned about SMART Goals. Great ideas are the foundation of every business, but ideas alone do not create growth. Execution does.
Many business owners set goals with the best of intentions, yet find themselves frustrated when progress stalls. During the session, we addressed the most common reasons goals fail:
- Goals are too vague
- They are not clearly defined
- There is no deadline
- Too many goals are set at once
- Overwhelm takes over daily operations
Without clarity and structure, even the most exciting objective can lose momentum.
Start With the Big Picture
Before setting a goal, participants first looked at everything already on their plate — both personally and professionally. Understanding current responsibilities, time constraints, and business priorities helps determine when a goal should be pursued. Timing matters. Recognizing the right season to act on a goal is not procrastination; it is strategic planning.
Work Backwards for Clarity
Specificity often comes from working in reverse. If you know the outcome you want, you can map the steps required to reach it. This backward planning ensures the goal is realistic, aligned with business priorities, and supported by clear action steps.
A strong goal should always align with both you and your business. Misaligned goals drain energy; aligned goals create momentum.
The SMART Framework
To bring structure to the process, participants built their goals using the SMART model:
- Specific - Clearly define what you want to achieve. Who is involved? Where will it take place? Why does this goal matter?
- Measurable - Determine how progress will be tracked. What key performance indicators (KPIs) will you monitor? How will you know when the goal is accomplished?
- Achievable - Ensure the goal is realistic given your resources and constraints. What actions are required? Do you have the necessary skills, tools, and support?
- Relevant - Confirm the goal aligns with broader business objectives. Will it contribute to long-term growth and success? Is now the right time to pursue it?
- Time-Bound - Set a start date and a target completion date. Establish milestones or checkpoints along the way to maintain accountability.
Learning Through Collaboration
During the workshop, participants actively developed SMART goals for their businesses. Through peer discussion and facilitator guidance, each component of the framework was examined and refined. This collaborative approach helped ensure every goal met the full SMART criteria — not just in theory, but in practical application.
Each attendee left with at least one completed SMART goal and clear next steps. Many also identified additional goals to develop individually or with their teams. Most importantly, every goal created was designed with one purpose: to move their business forward with intention and clarity.
SMART goals turn ambition into action — and action is where growth begins.