During the last 6 weeks of 2007, many people will begin to think about what they want to do next year. They will call these thoughts New Year Resolutions. I would call them goals if the person setting them is S.M.A.R.T. about it. If your goals are SMART you are more likely to accomplish them.

S.M.A.R.T stands for

S pecific

M easurable

A ttainable

R/R realistic/reward

T imed

If my resolution is to “lose 30 pounds”, I could make it

Specific - I will lose 30 pounds in 2008

Measurable - I will lose 30 pounds by losing 5 pounds per month.

Attainable - 2 pounds per week is OK so I can safely and reasonably lose 5 pounds per month

Realistic - If I have never walked further than from my door to the car in a couple of years I need to set a goal to workout regularly first since I can’t expect to sustain weight loss by diet alone.

Reward - Definitely not FOOD! This is more symbolic than important. It is a way to mark your personal victory. Think small and symbolic. For me it would be a used copy of a book I want and maybe some new slacks when I lost my total weight.

Timed - 5 pounds per month for 6 months or 4 pounds per month for 7.5 months.

I still need to write out the plan for diet and exercise and a plan for if I relapse to old habits rather than the new ones associated with my goal.

The final goal in SMART style: I will lose thirty pounds in 2008 by reducing calories and increasing exercise so I can lose 5 pounds per month until I meet my goal. Each month I meet my goal I will reward myself with a book on my Amazon list and for a final reward I will buy myself a new pair of tailored slacks.

What SMART goals do you have? Discuss your goals with me. Leave me a comment and don’t forget to subscribe.

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