You’ve probably heard of SMART goals. They are:

• Specific – the goal is well-defined.
• Measurable – the goal can be measured easily.
• Attainable – you have the skills and the resources to reach the goal, or know how you can get them.
• Relevant – the goal is possible, and you can commit to what you need to do to achieve the goal.
• Time-bound – you have a timeline with defined start and end dates.

SMART goals help you focus your efforts, track progress, and hold yourself accountable. They are ideal if you want a structured and organized approach to goal setting.

For some, however, SMART goals are too achievable, too limited, and may prevent you from taking bold, decisive action. Making a specific time frame might feel limiting, even restrictive for some goals. The way the goal is measured may be outside of your control, making it feel unachievable.

PACT goals are:

• Purposeful – the goal directly relates to your business vision.
• Actionable – there are specific actions that you can take immediately to work towards your goal.
• Continuous – the actions that you take are simple and repeatable.
• Trackable – you can track the actions you take towards the goal.

PACT goals help you set goals aligned with your purpose and values. They also encourage taking meaningful action, maintaining continuous improvement, and incorporating flexibility. They can be great if you prefer adaptability, creativity, and a more holistic approach to goal setting.

What are the drawbacks of PACT goals? For some, they may not be specific enough, and it can be difficult to tell if a goal has been achieved. They may also lead to procrastination because there are no milestones or deadlines. There’s also less outside accountability.

Now that you’ve got the basics of SMART goals and PACT goals, let’s look at which approach might work better with your style and preferences.

What’s your personality and work style? Do you prefer structure and clear guidelines (SMART goals), or a flexible, dynamic environment (PACT goals)?

What’s the complexity of your goals? Do they require a detailed plan and measurable milestones (SMART goals), or do they involve ongoing learning and adaptability (PACT goals)?

What’s the nature of your goals? Are your goals closely connected to your values and purpose (PACT goals), or are they more focused on specific outcomes and metrics (SMART goals)?

What’s your motivation and accountability? Do you find motivation in tangible results and deadlines (SMART goals), or do you prefer intrinsic motivation and self-reflection (PACT goals)?

Whichever method you use, just remember there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to goal setting. You can even combine elements from both SMART goals and PACT goals to create a customized approach that works best for you.

Setting goals is a powerful and necessary tool for growth as a solopreneur. Whether you choose the structured approach of SMART goals or the more flexible approach of PACT goals, the most important aspect is to set goals that work with your values and aspirations. By understanding the differences between these two approaches, you can tailor your goal-setting process to suit your style, your preferences, even your goals themselves! Apply the goal-setting method that supports you the best and helps you achieve success as you define it.