SMART Goal setting

Although it may seem tedious and a bit uncomfortable to write down and share with others your wellness and personal goals, doing so will give you a better chance at achieving these goals.

Research conducted by Dr. Gail Matthews shows that people who write down their goals, shared this information with a friend, and sent weekly updates to that friend were on average 33% more successful in accomplishing their stated goals than those who merely formulated goals.

The SMART Goal setting principle is a great way to begin the process of WRITING DOWN and achieving any goal you want to accomplish in your life.

S: Specific. Make your goal as clear as you can. For example, rather than saying I want to exercise 3 times a week, further specify your goal and write down that for the month of June I will ride the stationary bike for 20 minutes on Monday morning at 7:00 a.m., perform 20 minutes of walking Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m., and swim for 20 minutes on Friday aftenoon at 4:00 p.m. Get as specific as you like in regards to intensity, however if you are just beginning an exercise program start slow and gradually build up your intensity.

M: Measurable. Make sure that your goal can be measured. In the above example, you can measure the goal by checking off your exercise sessions during the month of June and determining if you completed all the sessions.

A: Attainable and Agreed upon: Be certain that your goals have the support of all members of your household and be very specific with them about the time needed to complete your goals.

R: Realistic: Do a good inventory of your current lifestyle and time constraints and be certain your goals are well within your reach.

T: Time Based: Set a date that is reasonable to achieve your goal and when this date comes review what you have accomplished.

Once again, you will be more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down and share them with a peronal friend, trainer, or family member and up-date them on your progression.

Happy Goal Setting.