It’s a new year, and you know what that means...goals and resolutions! Are you having a hard time thinking of goals for this new year? Do you fall into the trap of setting a goal, realizing you won’t reach it, and then giving up? If you do, then you aren’t alone! Goal setting can be daunting and frustrating.

If you are considering what your personal, business, or lifestyle goals will be this year, try this method. Setting a SMART goal will set you up for success and give you a clear path to accomplishment. So how exactly does a SMART goal work? The purpose is to give you a specific vision, instead of having a vague idea of where you want to end up. By implementing the following acronym, your goals are sure to improve.

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S- Specific

Making your goal as specific as possible is key. If your goal is too broad, like “lose weight” or “get rich,” it will be hard to know exactly what your end vision is. Without a specific vision, how will you know if you accomplished your goal? Being specific also allows for more accurate planning.

M- Measurable

Having a measurable goal is necessary because it allows you to track your progress. Often, a measurable goal has numbers associated with it so that it’s plain to see the direction you are moving. If your goal is to lose 20 pounds, you can easily track how much you lose each week. If your goal is to double your income, you can measure your current progress against numbers from the previous year. If you seem far off track, it’s easy to reassess and adjust your goal.

A- Attainable

Make sure that your goal is possible for you! If you set goals that are near impossible, you may end up feeling discouraged if you don’t get anywhere close. Assess your progress from the past and come up with a reasonable and achievable mark for yourself. If losing 100 pounds is too daunting, that’s okay! Start small and work from there. You can always adjust your goal.

R- Relevant

Since you are your own individual with your own life path, make sure your goals are in line with what is best for you! Just because your boss or your sister has a certain goal does not mean that it will necessarily help you. For example, if your goal is centered around saving money, tasks related to making a budget and tracking your spending would be relevant. Relevant goals will bring you closer to your life pursuits. 

T- Time Based

If there’s no deadline for your goal, then what will push you to finish? Setting a realistic timeline will help you pace yourself and make sure that you are on track to finish. If your timeline is too long, you may begin to lose motivation. However, if it is too short, you could exhaust yourself. Make sure time is on your side!

Goals are essential for personal development and progress. The SMART acronym is a great way to start analyzing your goals. Take your vision for yourself and make it attainable! Who knows, maybe you’ll start enjoying setting goals again once you start seeing yourself achieving! If one of your goals is to buy or sell your home, then we would love to help you make this a reality! Have a very Happy New Year!

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