It’s that time of year again…you know, that end of year time when you should look back on the years accomplishments and shortcomings and decide what you want for your future. The New Year seems an appropriate time for a fresh start, a new beginning!
More often than not we set New Year’s fitness resolutions and after a few weeks or months we fail. Most times this happens because the goals are unattainable or undefined. The following acronym will help you be successful in 2018. It’s SMART! No, that’s actually the acronym! It means Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-Sensitive.
Specific: Goals need to be well defined. An example of this would be being able to run a 5k race by the end of the summer.
Measurable: Always set goals that are measurable so you have some way to know if you are making progress or not. So, for example, that 5k goal may initially start as running 200m and gradually increasing. Remember to understand your limitations and measure accordingly.
Attainable: Often we set goals that are so high that they are unattainable. Is your goal something that you can reasonably accomplish? Again, using the race as an example, coming in first place may not be possible, but completing it is.
Realistic: A goal has to be something we can make a reality in our lives. If you want to run that 5k, are you going to commit to training and setting a dedicated schedule to attain this goal? Do you enjoy running? Why is the goal important to you? Asking yourself these pertinent questions can really help you decide if you’re willing to make it a reality.
Time: Having a time frame for your goal is imperative. It’s helpful to break down your goal into smaller goals. Your race may be in August, but celebrate running one mile or reaching a particular weight. Recognizing smaller milestones along the way will keep you on track.
By taking some time to plan and by following these steps you can find success in whatever is most important to YOU! Remember, it’s okay if you get off track, we all do. What’s important is having a SMART plan in writing so you can quickly refocus. Something else to inspire you to set these intrinsic goals is your happiness. These particular goals relating to yourself, your personal growth and health increases well-being and allows us to be happier with ourselves. Who doesn’t want that?! This being said, get busy and be SMART! 😉
CHEERS to 2018 and a NEW YOU!!!