Reach for the Stars with SMART goals

Did you make any new years resolutions this year, or maybe you didn’t bother because they never come to fruition? Try this simple goal-setting method to put your goals into an efficient frame-work, and see how it is much easier to work towards really achieving what you want.

A SMART goal is: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-related

Specific:
Write down your goal and make it specific. For example, to convert a goal (or resolution) ‘to lose weight and get fit’ to be more specific, think about what you are wanting to achieve. What is your target weight, or what measurements are you aiming for. What specifically are you trying to achieve fitness-wise. Of course losing weight and getting fit are two different things, and this resolution should be separated into two separate goals.

Measurable:
Make sure that the wording in your goal means you will know when you’ve achieved it. For example, a goal of ‘to be a dress-size 10′ (specific) is measurable in that if you fit into size-10 clothing, then you’ve achieved your goal! However, it would help to be particularly specific about how you are going to measure your success. Perhaps fitting into a particular pair of size-10 jeans would be the measure. That means there is no room for interpretation (size-10 clothes from different shops tend to be different sizes!).

Achievable:
Your goal must be achievable, otherwise you are setting yourself up for failure. E.g. a goal which is to lose 40lb in a month would be unrealistic! Strive to set your goal so that it is a stretch for you (we don’t the goal to be so easy to achieve that there is no motivation), but achievable. That way, when you do achieve it, you will feel delighted.

Relevant:
Your goal should be relevant in the context of your long-term strategy or ambitions. For example, a goal which is to be able to run a 9 minute mile would be relevant to a long-term goal which is to run a marathon in under four-hours.

Time-related:
Specify the time-frame for your goal. E.g. “To be able to run a marathon in under 4 hours, by April” would be a time-frame for the goal. This end-point for your goal means you can work backwards to today, to work out sub-goals or mile-stones, and so that you can put plans together for a path to achieving your goal. The planning of many mile-stones along the way will enable you to see if your goal is achievable, and to check progress to see if you are on schedule. Achieving mile-stones also gives an opportunity for celebrations en-route to achieving your main goal.

Good Luck with your goal-setting. If you would like to discuss your goals, please feel free to get in touch!