SMART Goal-setting

If you’re struggling to stay motivated on your health- or fitness journey, setting goals can be a great tool.

There’s plenty of ways to go about setting goals, but here I’d like to demonstrate how to use the “SMART“-method.
The “SMART”-method was developed in the 1980’s for management goal setting, but can be just as useful for other types of goals.
This is not to say that you can’t or shouldn’t set more open-ended or non-specific goals if that’s what suits you the best personally.
Although if you’re having trouble setting (and/or reaching) your goals, using the SMART-method can be useful to help you formulate them and weigh all the different factors before committing.

SMART in this context stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Lets break those down.

Specific: Meaning your goals should be clear and precise. Rather than setting a vague goal like "I want to get in shape," you can make it specific by answering the "W" questions:

• What do you want to achieve?

• Why is this important?

• Who is involved?

• Where will it take place?

• Which resources or constraints are involved?

For example, instead of “I want to get in shape”, you could set a specific goal like "I want to lose 10 pounds of body fat by exercising and eating a balanced diet."

Measurable: Your goals should be quantifiable. This means you should be able to track your progress and easily determine when you've achieved ywhat you wanted. To make your goal measurable, ask yourself:

• How will I know when the goal is accomplished?

• How will I measure progress?

In the example above, "losing 10 pounds" is a measurable goal because you can track your weight over time.

Achievable: Your goals should be realistic and attainable. They should be challenging but still possible to accomplish. Consider factors like:

• Do I have the necessary resources (time, money, knowledge) to achieve this goal?

• Is this goal realistic given my current circumstances and constraints?

Make sure your goal isn't so ambitious that it becomes unattainable or demotivating. Setting smaller achievable goals along the way can be beneficial.

Relevant: Your goals should be aligned with your values and overall wants and needs. Ask yourself:

• Is this goal worthwhile and will it contribute to my long-term objectives?

• Does it align with my values and priorities?

Ensure that your goals support your overall health and wellness.

Time-bound: Your goals should have a specific timeframe or deadline. This helps create a sense of urgency and prevents procrastination. Ask yourself:

• When do I want to achieve this goal?

• What can I do today, this week, and this month to move closer to my goal?

Setting a clear deadline can provide motivation and a sense of commitment.

Do you want help formulating your goals and sticking to the process?
I’d be happy to help. Reach out for a consultation call and we’ll work it through together.