Set SMART Goals

When it comes to setting goals, you should aim to set SMART goals! In order to live up to our full potential, and be truly successful at weight loss or fitness, we must come up with a defined measure and technique for setting goals. The method that we use should be one that is designed to assist us in actually achieving the goals that set, not just a method to actually SET the goals. This is where the “SMART” goal system comes into play. Here, you will learn about this system, and how YOU can set SMART goals!

What is the SMART Goal System?

S.M.A.R.T is actually an acronym for the following:

S – The “S” stands for “Specific”

M – The “M” stands for “Measurable”

A – The “A” stands for “Attainable”

R – The “R” stands for “Realistic”

T – The “T” stands for “Timely”

This particular goal setting system works to ensure that when an individual wants to set a goal, they have an outline of how to do just that so that they can succeed. Many individuals fall into the trap of setting general goals, and fail to set anything specific. The first step under the SMART goal setting system is to ensure that you set a very specific goal. When you do this, you must avoid being too general. For example, if you want to lose weight, and that is your “goal”, it is a bit too broad. A more specific goal would be to lose 15 pounds of body fat or three inches from your waistline.

In this system, a goal that you set must be “measurable”. This means that you should be able to periodically review your progress, and see how far that you have come. In the same respect, this form of measurement must be used in an effort to determine how far you have left when it comes to succeeding in that which you desire to accomplish. The next component of the goal that you set is the ability to attain what it is that you seek. You must do what it takes in this aspect of your progress to make a goal go from a thought, and then transition into a reality. This brings us to the next aspect of the SMART goal – the “realistic” nature of the goal.

Now, the “realism” behind a goal is actually dependent on both external and internal circumstances. Let’s say your goal is to bench press 300 pounds, but you are only at 150 pounds right now. Well, honestly, this is not realistic at all. However, you can likely add 25 to 30 pounds to your bench press in a relatively short period of time. A more realistic approach would be to commit to an achievable and manageable number and then commit to taking specific actions everyday to achieve this. Then, once you make this commitment, you must do what you have to do in order to ensure that you achieve what you have committed to. This will turn the goal into something “realistic” that you can actually see.

Now, once you have assured that all other elements of the SMART goal system have been put into play, it is time to set a time frame on the goal. You will want to determine how much time that you want to spend working towards the success of your goal. This will put in a sense of something to work towards, or “urgency” in general. When it comes to goal setting, set SMART goals, and you will be successful every single time!