The start of a new year is a great time to set goals and make positive changes in your life. Setting smart goals is an effective way to ensure that you are able to achieve the things you want, and it can help you stay motivated and on track throughout the year.
So, what exactly are smart goals? SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. These are the key characteristics that a goal should have in order to be considered “smart.”
Here’s a breakdown of each element:
Specific: A specific goal is one that is well-defined and clear. It should be easy to understand and have a specific outcome in mind. For example, instead of setting a goal to “exercise more,” a specific goal would be to “exercise for 30 minutes at least 3 times per week.”
Measurable: A measurable goal is one that can be tracked and measured. This helps you see your progress and stay motivated. For example, instead of setting a goal to “save more money,” a measurable goal would be to “save $500 per month.”
Attainable: An attainable goal is one that is realistic and achievable. It’s important to set goals that you can actually accomplish, rather than setting yourself up for failure. For example, instead of setting a goal to “lose 100 pounds in one month,” an attainable goal would be to “lose 1-2 pounds per week.”
Relevant: A relevant goal is one that is important and meaningful to you. It should align with your values and goals, and be something that you are truly passionate about. For example, instead of setting a goal to “learn a new language,” a relevant goal would be to “learn Spanish in order to better communicate with my family.”
Time-bound: A time-bound goal is one that has a deadline or end date. This helps you stay focused and motivated, and ensures that you are working towards your goal in a timely manner. For example, instead of setting a goal to “improve my public speaking skills,” a time-bound goal would be to “improve my public speaking skills by giving one presentation per month for the next year.”
Now that you understand the elements of a smart goal, it’s time to start setting some for yourself! Here are some tips to help you get started:
- Write down your goals: Research has shown that people who write down their goals are more likely to achieve them. So, grab a pen and paper and start jotting down your goals for the year.
- Make them specific and measurable: As mentioned above, it’s important to set specific and measurable goals. This will help you track your progress and stay motivated.
- Make them attainable: Don’t set yourself up for failure by setting unrealistic goals. Start small and work your way up to bigger goals as you progress.
- Make them relevant: Choose goals that are important and meaningful to you, and that align with your values and goals.
- Make them time-bound: Set deadlines or end dates for your goals to ensure that you are working towards them in a timely manner.
- Create an action plan: Once you have your goals written down, take some time to create an action plan. This should include specific steps you will take to achieve your goals, as well as any resources or support you may need along the way.
- Track your progress: It’s important to track your progress and make adjustments as needed. This will help you stay on track and motivated, and ensure that you are making progress towards your goals.
Make magic out there <3 -g
