Written by Marissa Halstead
Ever think, “Something needs to change,” only to realize later nothing did? Change is hard—we fear the unknown, even when we know it’s needed. That’s where SMART goals help you focus and actually follow through.
What are SMART Goals?
If you are wanting to set a goal for yourself, SMART is a helpful acronym to remember. Each letter is a reminder for something important that will help making your goals more attainable. SMART stands for:
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Relevant
Time-based
Specific – The great thing about SMART goals is that they are custom to what you need for your specific situation. Your goal needs to be clear and concise. We often struggle to reach goals because they’re too vague. Wanting to “be more proactive about cleaning” is a good idea, but not specific. A clearer goal is, “I’ll make a chores list so I remember to clean.”
Measurable – Going off of this same idea of the desire to clean the house, our goals need to be measurable. Something is measurable when you can track its progress, for example: “I will wipe the kitchen counters every day.”
Attainable – It can be tempting to set high expectations for ourselves. However, for the goal to be successful, you need to actually be able to attain what you sought out to do. In this case, cleaning the kitchen counters is very attainable because most people have cleaning supplies and the time to do so. Making a goal attainable becomes trickier when someone might not have the resources to practically accomplish something. Your goal should be something within your ability, using resources at your disposal.
Relevant – Having a relevant goal means that this goal matters to you; that it lines up with other goals you want to accomplish. In our example, cleaning the kitchen is relevant to having a clean home for yourself and your family. You might write down how the goal will specifically benefit you, for instance, “Having a clean home reduces my stress and makes others feel comfortable.”
Time-Based – Lastly, your goal should be time-based. Every goal needs a target date, otherwise nothing would ever get done. Set a deadline for yourself. What can you do today, next month, or next year to make your goals a reality? Even if you don’t make the deadline, you are more likely to make progress with a timeline.
YOU CAN DO IT!
Setting SMART goals gives you more chances of success in achieving your goals! If you’re feeling stuck and do not know where to start, reach out to Envision today to meet with a licensed counselor! Counselors can help you solidify your thoughts, emotions, and desires so that you can make better, doable goals for yourself.
