Be SMART About Your Goals
New Year’s has come and gone. Months ago many jotted down their resolutions, others put it off. Still, others already feel like a failure because each year their goals are the same.
But why do most people fail in reaching their resolutions?
It’s because they’re not S.M.A.R.T. about their goals.
Before you are offended by what may appear to be an attack on your mental capacities, allow me to explain. Goals that are SMART are:
S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Attainable
R = Realistic
T = Timely
Specific goals are straightforward and focus on the what, why, and how. For example, many people write down, “Lose weight” as a resolution. Using the SMART method, you write, “Lose 10 pounds by going to the gym for group fitness classes at least 4 days a week in order to improve overall health, reduce body fat, and increase energy.” There is a difference in these two statements. Be specific. It will help you identify exactly what your target is! (I am going to use this goal in each example for simplicity’s sake.)
Measurable goals are just that, ones that can be measured. If it cannot be measured, it cannot be managed. This method allows you to see your progress as you work toward your goal. Measuring your helps you to stay on track and allows you to celebrate your successes along the way. For instance, “Reduce body weight by one pound a week” is a measurable goal.
Attainable goals are challenging and stretch you, but you will be able to achieve them. If you set an unrealistic goal, you will only find yourself frustrated and failing, stuck in your current state with no changes. It is very unrealistic to believe you will lose 10 pounds in one week. It wouldn’t be healthy, and it isn’t the way we want to go. An attainable goal would be, “I will lose 10 pounds by losing 1-2 pounds each week and will stick to a 1500 calorie diet by documenting what I eat.”
Realistic goals are goals that you have the tools to achieve. They are not easy, but are reachable. Be honest with yourself. What are you and are you not willing to do in order to meet your goals? Do not set a goal of running 6 miles everyday if you do not have the time to commit to such a task, hate running, or have never run before. Factor in your work schedule, home schedule, etc. Realistic goals are more likely to be worked toward because you will not be overwhelmed by them. Stating, “I will not eat sweets any longer” is probably not realistic. Instead, “I will increase my intake of fruits and vegetables to 5 servings or more a day and replace a sweet snack with a healthful snack each day” is much more realistic.
Timely goals give you a time frame for achieving your goals. Having an end point to a goal will assist you in staying committed and give you a clear target to work toward. This will also keep you from being flippant and having the same goals every single year. Instead of saying, “I will lose 10 pounds,” you would write, “I will lose 10 pounds by March 1st.” There is an exact time and date set, and now you can start putting it into action.
Take the time to sit down and write out your goals, for this year, the next 3 years, the next 5 years (and feel free to share them in the comment section.) For your health, your finances, your writing, your spiritual life. Every area needs attention. You cannot arrive at your desired location if you do not know what that destination is and what it entails.
Be SMART, and then, go for it.
