How to Set Goals (And Actually Stick To Them!)
Goals: We all have them, but how do you know if your goal is something you can actually make happen? Is it how badly you want it to happen? How likely those in your life think your goal is? What about knowing someone who has done it before? The answer: None of the above! The main ingredient for successfully reaching a goal is how S.M.A.R.T. it is.
People set goals for many different reasons. Some people have goals for their career, their education, or even their personal life. But something many people don’t realize is the difference between a goal and a wish. Anyone can have a wish or something they hope will come true. A goal, however, is different. To have the most likely outcome of successfully reaching your goal, it must be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. If you’ve ever questioned why those New Year’s Resolutions never stick, keep reading to find out more about how to create SMART goals for your life. And if you’d like help clarifying and meeting your goals, getting counseling services from a therapist at Clarity Counseling Center can help! Schedule an appointment with one of our Wilmington-based therapists today.
Specific
Your goals should be as specific as possible. The more specific your goal is, the easier it will be to determine what steps are necessary to reach it. Instead of stating, “I want to become more physically active,” consider what type of physical activity you might enjoy and how frequently you would like to engage in this activity.
Try answering the 5 Ws: Who, What, When, Where, and Why. These questions will weed out any unnecessary steps and really help you get down to the nitty-gritty of what you are wanting to achieve.
Measurable
This is how you will determine if you are making progress toward reaching your goals. Seeing small signs of progress is an important piece in maintaining motivation for working toward your goals. You’ll want to make sure you can see progress on a regular basis in order to keep on keeping on! This is the “evidence” of your goal.
Keeping the same example as above, if increased physical activity was your goal, and you decided to run three times per week, document it! Consider keeping a chart to record how many times you run each week, or record the time and distance you run to see if you’re getting faster. Documentation is key so that you can look back on all the hard work you’ve done.
Achievable
Whether or not a goal is achievable, or attainable, is extremely important when setting goals for yourself. Ensure that you are not setting your sights too high so you don’t lose motivation if it feels “impossible.” Goals should challenge you, but not set you up for failure. It is great to have long-term goals such as “run a half marathon,” but first you must reach the short-term goals that will help you take the necessary steps towards the big picture. Instead, consider setting specific short-term goals for the training process. Your initial goal of running three times per week will help increase your stamina, then you can begin setting goals for specific distances. It’s all about the process.
Relevant
The goals you set for yourself should align with your long-term goals as well as the things you value. The greatest thing about all this is that you have the power! You get to set your goals and make sure they are something YOU want to do. If you feel passionate about your goals, you are more likely to keep working toward them. Another important aspect of the relevancy of your goal is that these goals should be based on things you can change, NOT what you want someone else to do. Focus on your abilities and you will feel more empowered to take control of your life.
Time-Bound
This one is very important. Having a timeframe for when you want to reach your goals helps you stay on track. If someone states, “I want to work out more,” but never puts any details into that statement, it probably won’t happen. When you set a goal, make sure you include WHEN you want to reach this goal by. Whether it is next week, next year, or five years from now, having a timeframe will help keep you focused and will help you to know what steps need to happen along the way.
Share Your Goals
Setting goals is an important part of all of our lives. Feeling capable of achieving those goals is half the battle. Having a specific goal and a detailed plan of how to reach your goal can reduce some of the stress, anxiety, and fear you may have when taking the first steps toward your future. And don’t forget, sharing your goals with someone is a great way to gain accountability and have someone to ensure you keep your focus when the going gets tough. Tell someone you trust to be honest and give helpful feedback during the planning process.
Speaking with a therapist about changes you want to make in your life can increase the likelihood that you will see your goals through until the end. Your therapist can guide you during the goal-setting process, help when roadblocks pop up, and aid you in determining if your goals might need to be adjusted when plans change. If you’d like to schedule an appointment for counseling services with a Clarity Counseling Center therapist, you can browse our therapists or simply contact us!
Switching it up is scary! Sometimes it may feel easier to stick to the status quo, even if it is not serving you. But, changing your goal-setting process to the SMART method might keep you from dreading making necessary changes and actually get you excited about taking on a new endeavor.
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