Goal setting doesn’t have to be this daunting task that you have to mill over for days on end! It can be as simple as using the S.M.A.R.T. method. I recommend setting small goals that are easily reached to generate a positive sense of accomplishment. As with fitness, it can be a skill such as a pull-up, a 5-10lb increase in your lifts, or a target weight. Celebrating small achievements will lead to bigger ones. So lets get to it...
S is for SPECIFIC: A specific goal will usually answer the five “W” questions –
What: What do I want to accomplish?
Why: Specific reasons or benefits for accomplishing the goal
Who: Who is involved?
Where: Identify a location.
Which: Identify requirements and restraints.
Making sure your goal is as specific as possible ensures that you have a clear roadmap of what it is you are trying to achieve. You should be able to think of your goal and be absolutely sure of what it is and what it contains. No questions or guessing!
M is for MEASUREABLE: How can you know if you are making progress if you can’t measure it? That is why it is important to make sure your goal is measurable in some way. This will help you stay on track, meet deadlines, and with each little check on progress comes a sense of effort paying off, creating more motivation to reach the finish line of your goal. A measureable goal will usually answer the following questions:
-How much?
-How many?
-How will I know when it is accomplished?
A is for ATTAINABLE: You want to make sure that the goal you are setting is reachable and realistic. This one can be a bit tricky; you don’t want your goal to be overwhelming or too easy. Find something that pushes you to work a little bit harder than normal. Finding an attainable goal can help you reflect on previously overlooked opportunities. In turn this will help you reach the goal currently on hand. An attainable goal will usually answer the “how” question:
-How can the goal be accomplished?
R is for RELEVANT: A relevant goal is something the goal-setter deems worthwhile to work towards. If you believe that it can be accomplished, then chances are you feel the goal is relevant. Ask yourself:
-Does this goal seem worthwhile?
T is for TIME-BOUND: This is essentially a deadline. Creating a sense of urgency will usually push the goal-setter to start and stick to their program, and not let little day-to-day obstacles be an excuse for getting off track. A time-bound goal will usually answer these questions:
-When?
-What can I do 6 months from now?
-What can I do 6 weeks from now?
-What can I do today?
And there you have it, amigos. Good luck and get S.M.A.R.T.!
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