It’s here. It’s finally here. The much awaited change to rid ourselves of the year that was 2020… here follows 2021. With every new year, we all feel the urge to change for the better, improve our lives in some way and start the year off on a good foot. I know that some of you will tell me New Year’s resolutions suck and you’re not a fan. I completely hear you. I used to hate resolutions too, because when I saw others making theirs I felt pressure to make crazy goals that I would never stick to. The thing is, we shouldn’t make goals that aren’t attainable and specific. I think that’s where the resolution craze goes wrong. A common example is when someone says, “This year, I’m gonna get fit!”. Love that goal, buuuuuuut how are you going to get fit? How long will it take? What does “fit” mean to you? Do you want to lose weight? Do you want muscle? Will this involve a diet change? I think you’re catching my drift here. When we make resolutions, which I will just call goals for the rest of this post, we should build them as if it were a professional goal that our boss has to see. Here’s what I mean: at my job we have “check-ins” which are like reviews in certain seasons. Each time we have one of these check-ins we are asked to list what we’ve learned since the last meeting and what goals we have for the upcoming season. These goals have to be SMART goals. S(pecific) M(easurable) A(chievable) R(elevant) T(ime-bound).
Since learning this method for goal-building, I have drastically improved in achieving my goals (um hello, because I MAKE THEM ACHIEVABLE!). So let’s go through some examples on how to build a simple goal into a SMART goal.
Simple Goal: I want to be fit.
S: I will feel fit when I can run comfortably. *(To come to this, you have to define what you want by “being fit”)
M: I will know I can run comfortably when I can run 3 miles with no stops. *(you can use time, mileage, whatever you like to measure your runs in!)
A: I will make this achievable by creating a training schedule and sticking to it. *(you can’t expect results overnight! Plus, setting a smaller goal like 3 miles is more achievable than 15 when you are an inexperienced runner) –you should create your schedule at the time of goal building to increase your chance of sticking to it.
R: I have a virtual 5k coming up in the summer that I want to enjoy and do well. *(RELEVANT)
T: My race is in 3 months and I will build my training schedule accordingly. *(we aren’t just creating a goal with no deadline. With an end date, you are much more likely to work towards your goal over time)
CWA PERSONAL EXAMPLE
Simple Goal: I want to heal my gut.
S: I want to figure out what foods trigger my IBS.
M: I will commit to an elimination diet and keep a record of how certain foods make me feel.
A: I will complete the Whole30 elimination diet since I struggle with commitment and 30 days seems achievable. I also have the means and resources to complete said program.
R: IBS symptoms affect my daily life and have prevented me from doing certain things. Completing this program will give me a shot at healing my gut.
T: 30 day program with short reintroduction phase (~15 days)
Are you getting a feel for it now? It really isn’t too hard to convert your goal into a SMART goal and I guarantee you are more likely to achieve them when you build the goals this way. Need more tips? Reach out to me and I’ll give you what I can! 🙂
Feel free to share with me any SMART goals you have!
xx,
Alexis