Making SMART Goals

Do you have a goal you would like to accomplish in the coming months as we make our way into 2021? Many have given up on a New Year's resolution by March. Motivation, loss of interest or not really knowing how to achieve the goal are reasons we never quite get to where we intended. If you want to succeed, it's best to make a SMART goal.

What are SMART goals?
A SMART goal breaks down the idea by focusing your efforts and putting it into achievable steps.

Specific:What do you want to accomplish? Your goal should provide as much detail as possible so you can focus your efforts on a very specific task.

Measurable:How will you know you are making progress? By tracking your progress you will feel more focused and motivated to keep going as you get closer to achieving your goal.

Achievable:What actions are needed to reach the goal? Your goal needs to be realistic in order for you to be successful. A goal is meant to help you grow so make a goal that stretches your abilities but is still possible to achieve.

Relevant:Why do you want to achieve this goal? Is it realistic for your health and wellbeing? Your goal should matter to you but also be appropriate with the other activities in your life and those around you. Having support from others in achieving your goal is also important.

Timely:When will you start? How long will it take to reach the goal? Having a specific time frame on when to start and possibly when to end will provide more motivation and success. Writing a SMART goal doesn't have to be hard. By using these three simple words you can write any goal. What? When? How? Ask yourself what goal am I trying to accomplish and when will I complete it. Then think through how you will go about making the goal achievable.

Use these examples to help get you started.

• I will (What?) eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day (When?) in the next month. I will do this by (How?) having pre-cut vegetables and washed fruit ready to go in my refrigerator each week.
• I will (What?) be more rested and get better sleep (When?) in the next week. I will do this by (How?) going to bed at the same time every night and not looking at my phone or watching TV 15 minutes prior to bedtime.

By using the SMART method, you can provide the action plan, motivation and support needed to be successful in meeting a logical, reachable, and meaningful goal.