SMARTER Goals Mini Toolkit
Set bold goals. Take decisive action.
SMARTER GOALS MINI TOOLKIT
Move forward with clarity and confidence.
SMARTER Goals Mini Toolkit
The right goal doesn’t just change your behavior—it reconnects you to your identity, your calling, and your next season of purpose.
This toolkit will help you get clear, get grounded, and take action that aligns with who you are and where you’re headed.
“Katie is truly a transformational leader. She inspires all she meets to strive for more and supports them in their professional growth.”
— Tiffany (Davis) Nawabei, MSN, RN, CNL, CMSRN, Program Manager at Stanford Health Care
WHAT’S INSIDE
You’ll get access to templates, examples and a process proven to help you design a goal, build support, plan ahead, and recalibrate along the way. Whether you're at a personal or professional crossroads, feeling stuck, or just craving change, you’re in the right place.
Design
Create a goal that’s bold, clear, and personally meaningful
Align your goal with your values, energy, and season
Example SMARTER Goals are included; use the provided templates to build your own
Building Your SMARTER Goal
Identify
Define your rewards, consequences, and motivators
Clarify what’s at stake if you don’t follow through
Identify the people who can support or encourage you
Map out mini milestones to track your momentum
Establishing Incentives and Support
Anticipate
Recognize real-life barriers
Brainstorm practical solutions and workarounds
Identify a clear first step for each obstacle you encounter
Plan proactively so challenges don’t catch you off guard
Navigating Obstacles and Challenges
Review
Reflect on what worked and what didn’t
Capture lessons learned and small wins
Adjust the goal, timing, or approach
Re-align with your why and reset for your next step
Reflecting and Making Adjustments
USING YOUR TOOLKIT
Print it out and write directly on the pages, or use it digitally—whatever works for your day. Pen and paper often bring more clarity, and studies show that handwriting activates parts of the brain tied to focus and memory.
This process gets easier with practice. It might take a little time at first, but soon it becomes a quick, powerful rhythm. Some days I use paper. Other days I use my Notes app. Both work. Start where you are. Keep it simple. Give yourself the gift of focus today.
“The best goals don’t just change your habits. They realign you with who you are destined to be.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Katie Stephens, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, Caritas Coach®
My mission is to empower nurses and healthcare leaders through compassionate, heart-centered coaching. I distill evidence-based leadership strategies and caring science principles into practical, transformative tools for personal and professional growth.
As a certified Caritas Coach with 20 years of nursing and leadership experience, I’ve seen how burnout and workplace challenges can dim the passion of healthcare professionals. I’m here to share that while these struggles are real, they can be overcome.
Through Caritas Coaching, rooted in Watson’s Caring Science, I guide nurses and leaders to rediscover their purpose, foster resilience, and create caring, healing environments. Transformation, empowerment, and renewed passion are possible. Take one small, courageous step each day toward your goals, and watch your impact and fulfillment grow!
Turn your personal and professional goals into reality
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