Resolutions Versus SMART Goals
It’s true that many people struggle with sticking to New Year’s resolutions. A resolution is a firm decision to do or not do something. It’s typically more open-ended, with no specific time frame for change. A resolution can be anything from saving money to losing weight to spending more time with friends and family. While these are commendable commitments, they are often too broad and difficult to achieve without clear goals outlining how to accomplish them.
A goal, on the other hand, is a targeted outcome that often has a timeline and requires a specific plan of action to make it happen. Goals are not merely intentions; they are commitments to changing habits. Habits are regular and often unconscious behaviors that shape our daily routines and lives.
The key to achieving resolutions is setting SMART goals for habit changes. SMART goals provide a structured and effective way to enhance performance and improve outcomes.
Your goals should be:
- Specific: The goal should be directly related to your desired outcome. It should address the who, what, when, where, why, and how of the objective. If your goal isn’t specific, you may struggle to focus on what is truly important.
- Measurable: You should be able to objectively determine whether the goal has been achieved. Without measurable criteria, it’s easy to assume you’re making progress when you might not be.
- Attainable: Your goal should be realistic and within reach, considering the tools and resources available to you.
- Relevant: The goal should align with your overall vision of health, wellness, or other priorities.
- Time-bound: There should be a clear start and end date to help you assess whether the goal has been achieved within the desired timeframe.
Examples of SMART Goals:
1. Cutting Sugar Intake
- Goal: I want to cut my sugar intake by 50% in 3 months. I plan to replace sugary snacks with healthier options like fruits, nuts, and whole grains.
- Specific: The statement clearly details the objective and the steps to achieve it.
- Measurable: Progress can be tracked by monitoring sugar consumption.
- Attainable: Reducing sugar intake is feasible by making dietary changes and choosing healthier alternatives.
- Relevant: This goal aligns with a healthy eating lifestyle by reducing sugar consumption.
- Time-bound: The goal has a three-month deadline for success.
2. Cooking at Home
- Goal: I want to cook a meal at home three nights a week by the end of 2 months. I aim to save money and be more mindful of my ingredients and meals.
- Specific: The goal is precise, specifying the number of meals per week.
- Measurable: Success can be evaluated by logging the number of home-cooked meals.
- Attainable: Cooking at home three nights a week is a realistic and achievable task.
- Relevant: The goal aligns with saving money and creating healthier meals.
- Time-bound: The timeline for achieving this goal is two months.
3. Learning About Macronutrients
- Goal: I will be able to identify macronutrients and understand their importance for a balanced diet in the next 2 months. I will create meal plans that include protein, vegetables, healthy carbohydrates, and healthy fats in correct portion sizes.
- Specific: The goal focuses on learning about macronutrients and applying this knowledge to meal planning.
- Measurable: Progress can be tracked by the ability to identify macronutrients and create well-balanced meal plans.
- Attainable: Learning about macronutrients is achievable through research and practice.
- Relevant: Understanding macronutrients supports the goal of creating healthy and balanced meals.
- Time-bound: The timeline for achieving this goal is two months.
Conclusion
Establishing SMART goals provides a framework for success. Consistency and adaptability are essential to maintaining these habits while taking things one step at a time.
So, did you set any SMART goals for yourself this year? How are you feeling about them so far, now that we’re past Quitter’s Day?