Okay, that’s a bit cynical, but according to this article from Forbes, 80% of New Year’s resolutions are broken by the beginning of February. The article then goes into a deeper dive into what I’ve been learning about SMART goals. This is a technique health coaches use to encourage their clients to make steps towards lifestyle changes that will improve their physical and/or mental health.
That’s because SMART goals address the very issue about why even some of the most reasonable resolutions fail, which is that they are too vague, don’t have enough accountability, and are often unrealistic.
What makes SMART goals different, is in the name:
S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Achievable
R = Realistic
T = Time-bound (Deadline)
For example, instead of saying, “My new year’s resolution is to lose weight,” a SMART goal would be, “I want to lose 10 pounds by February 28th. I’ll do this by walking 8,000 steps 3 days a week, only drinking water, and reducing my meal portion sizes.”
S and M = lose 10 pounds
A = 8,000 steps 3 days a week, drink water, reduce meal portion size
R = 5 pounds per month
T = February 28th
So for this fist Self-Care Sunday of 2022, I want to encourage everyone to make some SMART goals that will challenge you to do better, whether it’s for your health, career, family or anything else significant in your life!
One of my SMART goals is:
S = Do some weight lifting, sit ups or yoga
M = For at least 15 minutes
A = Following some YouTube channels that I know are at my level
R = More than 15 minutes would be hard to do consistently
T = Before I go to work every morning
I’ll let all of you be my accountability partners for making sure I follow through with this goal.
Happy New Year everyone!
Love how “smart” your goals are. I’m going to implement something similar too!
Thank you, and I did see your resolution post. And I especially liked the perspective you brought to your ‘Reviewing My Resolutions… ’ post. Wishing you all the best this new year. Stay safe and take care. 🙏🏼❤️