SMART Goal Setting

Okay, I’m going to say what you’re all thinking - “a goal-setting blog in February? I already set my New Years Resolutions.”

Am I right?

Here’s what I think: it is the perfect time to revisit the idea of goal-setting. How many of your New Years goals have you started? Continued? Accomplished already? Or how many of them have you given up on or forgotten? Goal setting is essential for self-improvement, and because of that, there is absolutely no reason that we shouldn’t be setting goals during any time of the year.

You may have heard the acronym SMART goals when goal-setting, but did you know there’s an even SMARTER way to set goals? That’s right, we have two more letters to add to your acronym.

Let’s catch up… what is a SMART goal?

S - specific

M - measurable

A - actionable

R - realistic

T - time-bound

Let’s use an example with the goal: Beat Usain Bolt in a 100 meter sprint

Step one, make sure you are as specific as possible when you’re writing a goal for yourself. One way to do this is to think about the who (me), the what (sprinting the 100 meter race), the where (on my track), and the when (in the next 6 months) of your goal. Step two, determine how you will measure your goals. In other words, ask yourself the question - “what tangible steps do I need to take in order to get to my goal, and how will I know when I have successfully achieved my goal?” In this example, you might consider hiring a trainer and dietician to assist you in determining what best steps you can take toward your goal. Step three, assess your goal to ensure it is something you have control of. If your goal is “beat Usain Bolt,” you might not be able to achieve your goal, because not only is Usain Bolt incredibly fast, you cannot predict or control how much training and preparation he is going to put into this race. Instead, consider adjusting the goal to, “Run the 100 meter sprint in under 15 seconds.” This is a goal you have full control of carrying out. Step four, make sure your goal is realistic. If you’ve been training to run the 100 meter sprint and your average time is 18 seconds, it’s unrealistic to cut that time in half (and therefore beat Usain Bolt). A more realistic goal might be to shave off 3 seconds, and run the 100 meters in 15 seconds. Finally, set a timeline. This will provide you with the necessary focus and sense of urgency to make your goal happen. (Additional note: if your goal is long-term, then make sure to set short-term and medium-term goals along the way to keep yourself focused and on track).

Therefore, if we use the SMART method to change the original goal, we now have: My goal is to decrease my 100 meter sprint time from 18 seconds to 15 seconds over the next 6 months by training 5 days a week with a trainer who will track my progress and by following a personalized weekly meal plan written up by a dietician.

Sounds better, right? Now that we’ve reviewed that, let’s get to the good part - how to be SMARTER. Going off of the ‘T’ in SMART, set times within your goal’s timeline to:

E - evaluate

R - reassess

When you’re evaluating and reassessing your goals, consider whether you’re making strides to meet your goal or not. If not, what needs to be modified, the goal or your mindset? Furthermore, can you change what isn’t working to make sure it starts working?

Now it’s your turn - Using the SMARTER goals formula, write out up to three goals for the next month, up to three goals for the next 6 months, and up to three goals for the next year.

Important tips and reminders:

“Ink it, don’t think it” - writing goals down helps with accountability, adherence, and awareness.

Consider sharing some goals on social media, or with trusted friends and family. Asking for their support and feedback is not a bad thing. They can see your hard work, behaviors, and goals from an outside perspective.

Vary your goals - set personal goals and work goals, health goals and social goals, short term goals and long term goals. Varying your goals helps to keep things interesting and prevent boredom, which can often lead to giving up.