In 2017, ditch traditional New Year’s resolutions and set small monthly goals.

New Year’s resolutions are SO yesterday.  Well, technically, SO last week…but you get the picture, right?  We are just over a week into glorious 2017 – have you made AND broken your New Year’s resolution(s) already?  Let’s be honest.  Many of us have set grandiose, non-specific, lofty goals for ourselves for the year ahead – “Get fit” / “Lost weight” / “Eat healthier” / “Make more money” / “Travel” / “Work less” – all with the general resolution of becoming a better version of one’s self.  No details about how the goal will be achieved, when it will be achieved by, or even what would signify actually achieving said goal…yikes!  Sound familiar?

This is my challenge to you:

Instead of setting a giant New Year’s resolution for this year, set a SMART monthly goal for yourself.

Yup, that’s it.  Nothing fancy, nothing complicated.  Whether it be mini, or not-so-mini goals, set your goals out by the month, instead of the year.  Whether you lay everything out months ahead, or just one month ahead, I double-dare you to give this a try!

SMART Goals – But why?

SMART goal setting brings structure, specificity and trackability to your goals and objectives. Instead of vague, non-specific resolutions, SMART goal setting creates clear, verifiable plans towards a specific objective, with realistic attainability.

What does SMART goal setting stand for?

S: Specific

• Be specific and define your target / goal as clearly as possible.
• What exactly do you want to achieve?  The more concise your description of what your goal is, and your plan to achieve it, the more successful you will be in aching your goal.
• Think about this:
  • What exactly do you want to achieve?
  • Where will this take place?  Where will you achieve your goal?
  • How will you work to achieve your goal? What specific steps do you need to take?
  • When do you want to achieve your goal by?  Can you set out timely, objective, mini-milestones that you will reach along the way?
  • With whom will you achieve my goal?  Will you involve others or will this goal just be for you?  Who are your supporters and what specific role will they fulfil towards helping you towards your goal?
  • What are your conditions and limitations of your goal?
  • Why exactly do you want to reach this goal?

M: Measurable

• Break your goal down into objective, measurable components.  This means being able to quantify your progress and success.
• Identify what exactly it will mean for you to achieve your goal.
• Think about this:
  • What concrete evidence will there be once you achieve your goal?
  • What tools will you use to measure your progress and ultimate success?
  • Who will hold you accountable?
  • What will you see, hear, feel, when you reach your goal?

A: Attainable

• Set a goal that is challenging, but still realistic.
• Think about this:
  • Is your goal attainable?
  • Can you reasonably achieve your goal in the time you set out to do so?
  • Do you have the skills and available resources required to meet your goal?  If not, what can you do to learn these skills, or what can you do to obtain these resources, and is this attainable in the timeline you set out for yourself?

R: Relevant

• Set a goal that is relevant to you personally / business-wise.
• Think about this:
  • Is your goal something you can actually incorporate into your every day life?
  • Will you be excited and feel positive about the work and time required to achieve your goal?

T: Time-Related

• Specify concisely when your goal is to be met.
• Think about this:
  • When will your results be achieved?
  • Are you giving yourself enough time to achieve your goal?  Be realistic with the time you can devote towards your goal.
  • Are you giving yourself too much time to achieve your goal?  Sometimes too much time can be counter-productive, by giving the illusion of there being “lots of time left to get things done.”

In Conclusion…

I hope this post helps you plan towards achieving something amazing this month!  Please hashtag us on Instagram #LPHCsmartgoals to share your progress – the team at Lawrence Park Health Clinic in North Toronto would love to see what you are up to!  A winner from all hashtag submissions will be drawn at the end of the month at random, for a surprise gift!

Author: Dr. Katie Au

B.Sc. Kin (Hons), D.C., D.Ac, CSCS, FCCRS©, ART®, GT®

Toronto Chiropractor | Acupuncture Practitioner | Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist