Personal growth is important. We should all aspire to thrive in every area of our lives. Many people start each new year by making new year’s resolutions. The problem with that is the goals are seldom achieved. Some people backpedal altogether. One manner in which to give new year’s resolutions the best chance at getting attained is by setting SMART goals.
SMART is the acronym used in goal-setting to ensure detail, clarity, and attainability. It is commonly attributed to Peter Drucker’s Management by Objective concept. SMART goals are:
- Specific – simple, sensible, significant
- Measurable – meaningful, motivating
- Achievable – reachable, agreed, attainable
- Relevant – reasonable, realistic, result-oriented
- Time-bound – time-based, time/cost centric, timely, time-sensitive
For instance, if someone is aiming to lose some weight by this summer, there are several ways to make that goal SMART. First, by deciding on the specific and measurable amount of weight desired to lose which will make the goal achievable. Say the person wishes to lose fifteen pounds by June 21st. Then, choosing realistic manners to meet the goal will make it relevant. Exercising, changing their diet according to their body type, and considering weight loss medical intervention are key. An example would be jogging three miles, three times per week at 7am, and replacing one meal per day with a medium-sized vegetable and fruit smoothie. Lastly, the goal is time-bound when it is ideal to the pace at which the person is committed to losing the desired amount of weight. Trainers recommend having regular weigh-ins and measurement checks to track weight loss so applicable adjustments can be made.
What are some of your new year’s resolutions, if any? How can you make them SMART?
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-Love
