It happens. Every year towards the end of December we reflect on all we’ve accomplished and all the things we didn’t. The New Year brings a bright outlook on our life – a clean slate is coming, and we’re eager to do better than the year before.
So, how can you set realistic goals for the New Year that you can actually keep? How can you set the intention from now to keep yourself motivated and driven? S.M.A.R.T Goals.
S.M.A.R.T stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound and here’s an example of how you’d use it:
Specific -> This is where you write your goal. For example, “I want to get fit.”
Measurable -> This is how you’ll know when you’ve achieved your goal. For example, “I will have lost 10lbs”, “I will have gained 10lbs”, “I will have gained a BMI of ___.”
Attainable -> This is where you’ll think about how attainable the goal is and what you need to attain it. Is it realistic to lose/gain 10 lbs in a month? Can you really go to the gym every day or is it better to start off with 3 times a week?
Relevant -> Is this goal important to you? Why? Write down some motivating factors – why do you want to achieve this? Why now and not next year?
Time-bound. -> Set a time limit for yourself – choose a memorable date (like your birthday, anniversary, an event, a holiday, a season) or choose a month that makes most sense to you.
Though not a part of SMART goal setting, another great way to stay motivated is by telling someone! Better yet, if someone has the same or similar goal as you, it can help to keep tabs on each other to ensure you both stay on track.
Need help with SMART goalsetting? Contact us and let us know your goal(s).
