Creating SMART Wellness Goals
The best way to get to where you want to in your wellness journey is to set a goal. Goals help give us perspective and motivation to keep pushing towards whatever vision we have for ourselves.
Those goals manifest themselves in different variations..
… by date
… by a quantifiable number
… by a feeling
We're all guilty of setting goals that we can't realistically accomplish. How many times have we told ourselves that we were going to do something in a ridiculously short amount of time? We set our sights high and tell ourselves that we can complete "x" goal in "y" time and whether we view them as unrealistic at the time of setting the goals is debatable.
The truth of the matter is…
Setting goals is easy.
Following them through can be tough.
Whether it's the timeline that we set for ourselves, the lack of a plan, or just being unclear about where we want to go, we don't set ourselves up for success.
One of my favorite quotes is by Greg Reid, "a dream written down with a date becomes a goal. A goal broken down into steps becomes a plan. A plan backed by action makes your dreams come true.”
Our dreams... our goals are achievable. We just have to make our goals S.M.A.R.T.
So what is a smart goal?
A SMART goal is a goal that is
SPECIFIC,
MEASURABLE,
ACHIEVABLE,
REALISTIC,
TIME-BOUND.
When break our goals down in terms that are S.M.A.R.T. we set ourselves up for success because we have broken the goal down in a way that allows us to visualize exactly what we want to do, how we plan to set out to do it, and where it fits in the overall scheme of things we have going on in our lives. While this is important for every goal we set, it is especially important when are setting goals regarding our health and wellness. In this blog post, we'll explore the concept of SMART goals and how to implement them successfully.
What Constitutes SMART Goals?
SMART is an acronym representing Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. These five components construct a framework for establishing well-defined and attainable goals. Let's break down each facet:
Specific: Your goal should be precise and clear. Instead of a vague objective like "get in shape," make it more specific, such as "I will lose 10 pounds in three months."
Measurable: Establish measurable criteria for your goal, enabling progress tracking. For instance, measure weight loss in pounds or savings in dollars.
Achievable: Ensure your goal is realistic and feasible. While ambitious dreams are commendable, unrealistic goals can lead to frustration. Consider your resources, skills, and time during goal setting. Are there things that can be obstacles to you achieving your goals? If so, how will you navigate those obstacles to ensure your success?
Relevant: Align your goal with your values and long-term objectives. Reflect on whether achieving this goal contributes to your overall growth and happiness. If it doesn’t align with your bigger picture, it’s probably not worth pursuing.
Time-bound: Set a specific timeframe for goal accomplishment. This instills a sense of urgency, aiding in staying on track. For example, "run a marathon by the end of next year" imposes a time constraint.
How to Establish SMART Goals:
Identify Your Goals: Clearly define your aspirations, ensuring specificity.
Break Down Your Goals: Divide major goals into smaller, manageable steps to avoid overwhelm and celebrate small victories.
Make Your Goals SMART: Apply SMART criteria for specificity, measurability, achievability, relevance, and time-bound attributes.
Write Them Down: Document your goals in writing, using a journal or digital note-taking app for concreteness.
Create an Action Plan: Outline actionable steps required to achieve each goal, creating a roadmap for success.
Stay Accountable: Share goals with a friend or family member or use goal-tracking tools to monitor progress.
Adjust as Needed: Adapt goals as circumstances change, recognizing the importance of flexibility.
Achieving Your SMART Goals:
Stay Focused: Keep goals in mind and adhere to your action plan.
Track Your Progress: Regularly evaluate progress, making adjustments as necessary.
Stay Motivated: Celebrate achievements, irrespective of size, and reward yourself for hitting milestones.
Seek Support: Don't hesitate to seek guidance or support from mentors, friends, or professionals.
Learn from Setbacks: View setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth.
Remember, setting SMART goals is a potent strategy for transforming dreams into reality. By adhering to this framework, you enhance your chances of success and cultivate a more fulfilling life.
As a health coach, I work with my clients to set and achieve SMART goals in every dimension of wellness. If you need an accountability partner or someone to just talk things through with, let’s chat! Click the link below to book a FREE consultation with me. We’ll discuss where you are, where you want to go, and how we can work together to get you there.
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