Smart Goals

Numerous studies conducted in the field of success have shown that individuals who set goals have a far better chance of achieving them than those who do not. Think about it. Even our simplest daily tasks revolve around setting goals. For instance, the weekend is a few days away and you have guests coming to visit. You jot down a quick list of things to do before your guests arrive. These are your goals. The list serves as a reminder of what your goals are and helps you organize your thoughts and work out how to get them done. Next, you begin to perform tasks on the list and you systematically cross off the items that you have accomplished on the list, feeling a sense of achievement.

BE SMART:

Specific A goal needs to be specific. You do that by asking yourself these questions:

Why are you creating the goal? In other words, what are the benefits? How will it make you feel?
Who is involved with the goal? (At the bare minimum, it’s you.)
How will you reach that goal?- Plan

Measurable A goal needs to be measurable. “I feel strong and full of energy having lost weight” doesn’t really mean anything. There’s no way to measure progress. Is it 5lbs? 20lbs? Are we measuring pounds lost or inches lost or maybe gained fitness?

Achievable But a goal needs to be attainable, too.

5 stone might sound like “fun”, but is it realistic? Is it a healthy weight?

Running a marathon? Can you commit to that sort of training?

Relevant

A goal should be relevant. It has to have meaning to keep you motivated, make a list of all the Pros and Cons losing weight or getting fitter will have for you.

Timely Goals need to be time-bound. A safe rate of weight loss is 1 to 2lbs a week. Say you have 40lbs to lose. Losing 2lbs a week would take you about 4 months. Remember a goal needs to be attainable, so to give yourself a bit of wiggle room and make it 5 months