S.M.A.R.T. Goals are effective goal-setting strategies to increase your success with whatever you set your mind to!
When setting a S.M.A.R.T goal ask yourself:
Is my goal Specific? – Did I pick a very small and clear goal?
Is my goal Measurable? –How will I know if I have met my goal? How can I measure success?
Is my goal Action-oriented? –Did I pick something that clearly involves taking a concrete step?
Is my goal Realistic? –Did I make sure my goal is doable given everything else in my life?
Is my goal Time-limited? – What is the time frame? Did I make sure my goal is doable in a short time period?
Example of a S.M.A.R.T. Goal
“I will walk the dog three times a week for 15 minutes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.”
This is an excellent S.M.A.R.T Goal because it is small, doable, easily measured, states specific days and has a clear action and lasts for a short time period.
Practice S.M.A.R.T. Goal Setting
Try turning this next goal into a S.M.A.R.T Goal:
Example: “I will go to the gym whenever I get the chance in the next month”
(This is not a S.M.A.R.T goal as it is too vague, not specific about what you will do at the gym, hard to measure and no time/frequency specified).
Example Revised to a S.M.A.R.T goal: “I will go to the gym and walk around the track for 30 minutes twice a week- on Tuesday and Thursday lunch hours over the next 4 weeks.”
This is now a S.M.A.R.T goal because it is small, states specific days and times, is measurable, is realistic and time-limited.
Remember whenever you are in doubt, make your goal smaller to increase your chances of success. Small changes can lead to big health changes over time!
Best wishes with your S.M.A.R.T goal-setting!