Goal Setting with New Year’s Resolutions

Goal setting is a critical component to any life change. It helps keep you focused, driven, motivated, and excited to keep progressing towards an end result. Utilizing a SMART goal can help you home in on exactly what you’d like to accomplish, and by when you’d like to have it done.

Having a SMART goal can keep you on the straight and narrow when it comes to having a goal, and it helps you to focus on what really matters and how you plan to get it done. Remember, goals can be as big or as small as you want, but they should mean something to you!

Check out these SMART goal suggestions and starting your 2021 on the right foot!

S – Specific

M – Measurable

A – Attainable

R – Realistic

T – Time

Specific – Think about EXACTLY what it is you want. Your goal should be able to answer the question(s), What, Where, When, Why, Which.

Measurable – During the time you are working towards your goals, you want to be able to track the progress you are making. Your goal should be able to answer the question “How much” or “How many”.

Attainable – Do you believe that this goal is reasonable enough to be accomplished? Remember, you want to set yourself up to succeed!

Realistic – Your goal should be something that means something to you and something that is important to you. As you develop strategies to achieve your goal, it should become more realistic!

Time – Set a time limit for your goal. This will help to keep a sense of urgency to have better time management and keep your focus strong.

Other suggestions for being able to keep your New Year’s Resolutions/Goals

• Focus on one or two goals at a time – too many at a time may cause you to be disappointed if/when you get off track with your goals and lead you to quit.
• Focus on the goal that you most want to change – when it’s something you feel strongly about, it will be easier to work towards.
• Formulate a “Why” Statement – why do you want to make this change? Use this “Why” when you feel like quitting or you hit a plateau.
• Smaller goals to work towards a bigger goal is a great way to track, progress, and to keep your motivation. As you accomplish these small goals, allow rewards to celebrate and further that motivation.
• Track your progress – this allows you to see where you started and the map to where you want to end up.
• Look for support in your friends, family, and coworkers. Let people know what you want to achieve and reach out for support in the times of excitement and when it’s a challenge.

Some ideas for goals in 2021 (tailor to your needs)

1. I will spend at least 15 minutes a day doing a stress management technique
2. I will limit my eating out at restaurants to one time per week for one month
3. I will spend 1 hour or less daily on my phone/watching TV
4. I will read one book a month for 6 months
5. I will eat at least one fruit and one vegetable at each meal for 2 weeks
6. I will volunteer at (name/organization) one time a month for 2 hours
7. 3 times a week I will reach out to friends/family through email, text or calling
8. I will limit my alcohol intake to 2 drinks a week
9. I will spend at least one day a week with family