Goal Setting: Hard vs. Smart; A Student’s Guide to Success

But how do we ensure our goals lead to success, especially in the context of Sustainable Development Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth? This goal highlights sustainable economic progress and meaningful employment – outcomes that ring deeply with students preparing for their careers.

In this article, part of The Student 360° blog series, we’ll explore two approaches to goal setting – HARD and SMART – and how they can empower us to thrive in a world that values purposeful work.

Hard goals are ambitious, bold, and often push you out of your comfort zone. The term “HARD” is an acronym that stands for Heartfelt, Animated, Required, and Difficult. These goals are deeply personal, emotionally driven, and designed to inspire transformative change.

For example, a hard goal might be: “I want to start a non-profit organization by age 25 that gives sanitary facilities for underprivileged women.” This aligns directly with SDG 8 by raising economic growth and decent work opportunities.

Heartfelt: Hard goals connect to your passions. They’re not just about what you can do but what you must do to feel fulfilled. For instance, if you’re passionate about reducing inequality, your goal might involve creating opportunities for marginalized communities.

Animated: These goals are bright and exciting, sparking your imagination. Visualizing yourself leading a team or launching a project keeps you motivated.

Required: Hard goals feel essential – like they’re non-negotiable for your growth. They push you to act because the stakes (personal or societal) are high.

Difficult: They challenge you to stretch beyond your current abilities, fostering resilience and innovation.

Hard goals are powerful because they tap into your intrinsic motivation. However, their ambitious nature can sometimes make them overwhelming, especially for students juggling multiple responsibilities. Without a clear plan, a hard goal can feel like a distant dream.

SMART goals offer a structured, practical approach to turn your ambitions into reality. The acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Unlike hard goals, which focus on inspiration, SMART goals emphasize clarity and action. For example, a SMART version of the earlier hard goal might be: “I will enroll in a non-profit management course by next semester to learn skills for launching a non-profit organization.”

Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve. Instead of “I want to help people,” specify “I will volunteer with a local NGO to support job training programs.”
Measurable: Include criteria to track progress. For instance, “I will complete 50 hours of volunteer work by June.”

Achievable: Ensure the goal is realistic given your resources and time. Aiming to start an organization next month might be unrealistic, but taking a course is doable.

Relevant: Align the goal with your broader aspirations and SDG 8. If decent work is your focus, prioritize goals that build skills for sustainable careers.

Time-bound: Set a deadline to create urgency. For example, “I will apply for three internships in local startup or NGO by December.”

SMART goals break down big dreams into manageable steps, making them ideal for students who need to balance immediate tasks (like exams) with long-term ambitions (like career impact).

This is heartfelt and ambitious but lacks a clear path. To make it actionable, you could set SMART goals like:“Launch a student-led initiative that provides digital skill training to under-resourced youth in my city.”

“Train at least 100 youth by the end of the academic year.”

“Partner with 2–3 local NGOs and recruit 10 volunteer mentors from the university and tech industry to deliver workshops and mentorship sessions.”

By combining the two, you create a powerful alliance: hard goals give you purpose, while SMART goals provide structure.

SDG 8 is about creating inclusive, sustainable economic growth and ensuring decent work for all. As students, your goals—whether hard or SMART—can contribute to this vision. Hard goals inspire you to dream big, perhaps aiming to tackle unemployment or promote fair labor practices. SMART goals help you build the skills, networks, and experiences needed to make those dreams a reality. For instance, pursuing a degree in economics, interning at a socially responsible company, or launching a small project to support local artisans all align with SDG 8’s mission.

Start with Heart: Reflect on what excites you about creating something new. Do you want to create jobs? Promote fair wages? Innovate in a green industry?

Break It Down: Turn your hard goal into smaller SMART goals. If your hard goal is to start a business, a SMART goal could be learning financial literacy or pitching to a mentor.

Track Progress: Use tools like planners or apps to monitor your SMART goals. Celebrate small wins to stay motivated.

Stay Flexible: Life as a student is unpredictable. Adjust your SMART goals as needed, but keep your hard goal as your north star.

Connect with Others: Join student groups or online communities focused on SDG 8. Networking can inspire new goals and provide support.

Goal setting is a skill that connects your present efforts with your future impact. Hard goals ignite your passion, pushing you to dream big and align with the progressive spirit. SMART goals ground those dreams in reality, ensuring you take consistent steps toward growth.

As part of The Student 360°, embrace both approaches to craft a career that’s not only successful but also meaningful. So, what’s your next goal? Dream boldly, plan smartly, and let’s build a future where work lifts everyone.

Written by: Rtr. Chamya Gallage