There are slightly different adaptations but typically, SMART stands for:
Specific
Goals need to be specific because you need to know what it is that you’re actually aiming for.
How can you expect to get a specific result if you don’t have a specific goal?
Your goal for 2021 is to lose weight.
But how much weight do you want to lose? How are you going to lose this weight?
Measurable
Achievable
This may mean doing some more research into home workouts, nutrition and how best to approach it whilst in lockdown.
There are tonnes of resources online, but you may benefit from having a home workout plan and/or coach to help you.
Relevant
Time Based
Other Examples
Weight loss is a pretty straight forward example.
Let’s look a couple of others to demonstrate the use of SMART goals further.
Goal: To improve my strength
Apply the SMART principle:
Specific: I want to be able to deadlift and squat my own bodyweight
Measurable: Will be measured by tracking my progress on these lifts each week.
Achievable: I have the resources to hire an online coach to help me achieve my goal
Relevant: Getting strong on these lifts will improve my overall strength.
Time Based: I want to achieve my goal by July 2021.
Goal: To improve the way that i look in the mirror.
Apply the SMART principle:
Specific: I want to put on 7lbs of lean muscle mass and reduce my body fat by 10%
Measurable: I will take body measurements and take progress pictures to track my progress
Achievable: Yes, i have access to a gym and will purchase a recipe book on muscle building meals.
Relevant: Both of these things will improve the way i look in the mirror.
Time based: I want to achieve this goal by the September 2021 (in time for my holiday).
Setting Small Actionable Steps
No matter your goal, it can also be a good idea to set yourself small actionable steps to help you achieve it.
You have your SMART goal, now what small actionable steps can you put in place to start achieving it?
Going back to the original goal of losing 10lbs of fat, what actionable steps can you put in place to reach this goal?
Examples of this could be:
- Join my local gym (or online home workout programme)
- Get an online trainer to help me with my goal
- Create a food journal
- Walk more to increase my non-exercise activity
You can break these down into even smaller steps:
- Book an induction at my local gym by the end of this week
- Book a free consultation with an online trainer
- Spend 5 minutes each day writing in my food journal
- Go for a 20 minute walk each morning
Summary
Setting goals is more than just saying you are doing to do something.
To creative effective goals, you need consider the SMART principle to develop a clear and concise picture of what is you want to achieve, how you’re going to achieve it and when you’re going to achieve it by.
It’s also important to remember the “Why” behind your goals. Keep in mind the reasoning that’s driving you, and reference back to that anytime things get difficult.
Need help with goal setting? You can contact me here or book in for a free online coaching consultation.
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