SMART Goals for 2012

Ringing in the new year gives you time to reflect on the year that has past...what was good, what didn't go as planned, and what you want to do differently. It is the time to set goals and make resolutions for the new year. 

The majority of new years resolutions don't last. Why??? Because they aren't smart...

S= Specific

M= Measurable

A= Attainable

R= Realistic

T= Timely

 Specific: Goals should be straightforward and emphasize what you want to do. Be specific. WHAT do you want to do. WHY do you want to do it. HOW are you going to get it done.

Measurable: If you can't measure it, then you can't manage it. " I want to be healthier" is not measurable.  Instead try..."I want to loose 1/2 pound per week until my birthday." OR maybe.."I want to eat one vegetarian meal per day for the next 3 weeks."

Attainable: Setting goals helps you find out what is important to you, you begin to develop attitudes, strategies, and skills to help you make your goals a reality. A goal should stretch you slightly so it will take commitment and a feeling of success when you accomplish that goal. Aiming to lose 50 pounds by the end of the month isn't achievable so don't set yourself up for failure. Break it down to smaller, more attainable goals.

Realistic: Realistic does not mean easy. Realistic means do-able. A goal needs to be realistic to you  and where you are at in the moment. Vowing to never eat another sweet, cookie, or piece of cake....might not be realistic, especially if you have a sweet tooth like me. However, choosing to limit the amount of sweets you consume to one per week is much more realistic.

Timely: Set a time-frame to attain you goal. Putting an end point to your goal gives you a clear target to work for. If you don't set a time, the commitment is too vague. You can't lose 1/2 pound per week forever....but you can do it for the month a February or until those jeans in the back of the closet fit again.