If you’re one of those people who resolve to get back into shape every time the New Year rolls around yet always fails to accomplish it, listen up: You might need to adjust the strategy you use to set those hard-to-reach objectives
And that’s where the S.M.A.R.T goal technique comes in.
What are S.M.A.R.T goals?
The biggest reason people fail at achieving their fitness goals, is that they’re vague. After all, what’s more achievable: Setting out to look good with your shirt off or to lose 5% body fat?
The latter, of course.
And that’s what S.M.A.R.T goals help you do. They help you take vague ideas and transform them into reality.
So how do you set them?
Setting S.M.A.R.T goals is easier than you think
It starts by understanding what the acronym S.M.A.R.T actually means.
Specific: The more specific you can be, the better.
Measureable: Measuring your progress at frequent intervals is as important as setting the goal in the first place. It encourages you and also shows if you need to pick up the pace.
Attainable: Don’t set yourself up for failure by promising yourself something you can’t achieve.
Relative: Don’t set a goal just because your friends, family members or exercise partners have set that goal. If you don’t want to run a marathon, you’ll never have the drive to do it.
Time sensitive: Deadlines help keep you motivated, so set them.
There you have it. Be S.M.A.R.T – it’s the best way to reach those goals you’re always setting, but never achieving.