… And use my Flow Chart to get it done!
More New Year’s resolutions are broken each year than any other goal! Don’t worry, I won’t ask you about the status of your last resolutions. So if you haven’t gotten around to setting new ones, keep reading… This may improve your resolution record!!!
Even if you’ve already made a New Year’s Resolution, you may as well ensure that you’ve made SMART choices, right?
SMART is an acronym for several different stages of the goal-setting process. When converting your New Year’s resolution into a SMART goal, it’s important to become familiar with what each letter stands for so that you find your goals highly achievable.
The following represents SMART goals, broken down into an easy-to-understand manner:
1. Specific. The first step to creating a SMART goal that is Specific. You can’t just say “I want to lose weight” – that’s a very general statement with no real meaning. Try saying “I want to lose ten pounds.” That’s more specific and you’ll clearly know when you’ve reached this goal.
Whatever your specific goal is, write it down and post it where you will be reminded every day.
2. Measurable. The next step is to make sure that the goal is Measurable. When we set goals, it’s important that we’re able to measure levels of our achievement. By measuring, we can keep track of our progress and feel more motivated to achieve our final goal.
Make a chart or keep a journal to track your successes and achievements. Seeing a visual guide will help motivate you, especially during tough days.
3. Attainable. Set goals that you know you can achieve, or that are Attainable for you. If you choose a goal of losing one hundred pounds, for example, this is not attainable for a short-term goal, and you’ll soon lose confidence. However, one pound a week is certainly an attainable goal.
If you have a huge goal, such as getting out of debt or losing a large amount of weight, break that large goal into much smaller goals or steps. Achieving a small goal every week will keep you determined to work harder and smarter.
4. Realistic. Your goal must also be Realistic. For example, setting a goal to win the Lottery is not particularly realistic. It’s possible, but not probable. Also, it’s not something you have any control over.
For maximum success and continued motivation, choose goals that are something you can realistically expect to accomplish, even if you need to divide the final goal into smaller attainable steps.
5. Timely. The last aspect of the SMART system is Timely. You’re much more likely to succeed if there’s a time frame associated with the goal. You may give yourself a month, six months, or the whole year – the choice is yours. The most important thing is that you take the time to set an end date.
Once you set a final deadline, work backward and determine the deadlines of your smaller goals. Pacing yourself throughout the year is more beneficial and less stressful than saving all the work for the last month before your final deadline.
Converting New Year’s resolutions into SMART Goals can increase your ability to achieve much more this year! It takes a little work so here’s a flow chart to help you!
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