I completely agree. It makes you feel like you have some wiggle room. The ability to be more gentle with yourself as it isn’t “as” important if you miss one day. Its the long term consistency that matters.
SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. When you set a SMART goal, you are more likely to have a clear understanding of what you want to accomplish and how you plan to achieve it.
· Specific: Your goal should be clear and specific, answering the questions of “who,” “what,” “where,” “when,” and “why.” It should leave no room for ambiguity or confusion. Specific goals help you focus your efforts and provide a clear direction.
Example of a non-specific goal: “I want to get in shape.” Example of a specific goal: “I want to lose 10 pounds in three months by exercising three times a week and following a balanced diet.”
· Measurable: A measurable goal allows you to track your progress and determine when you have achieved it. You should be able to quantify or assess your goal using specific metrics or criteria.
Example of a non-measurable goal: “I want to be more productive at work.” Example of a measurable goal: “I want to increase my daily productivity by completing at least 90% of my to-do list for the next three months.”
· Achievable: Your goal should be realistic and attainable. While it’s good to challenge yourself, setting an unattainable goal can be demotivating. Ensure that your goal is within your capabilities and resources.
Example of an unachievable goal: “I want to become a professional athlete in one year with no prior experience.” Example of an achievable goal: “I want to complete a half-marathon in six months, gradually increasing my running distance and endurance.”
· Relevant: Your goal should be relevant to your broader objectives and values. It should make sense in the context of your life, aligning with your long-term plans and priorities.
Example of an irrelevant goal: “I want to learn to play the piano, even though I have no interest in music.” Example of a relevant goal: “I want to improve my public speaking skills because it will help me advance in my career, which is important to me.”
· Time–bound: Your goal should have a specific timeframe or deadline for completion. This adds a sense of urgency and prevents procrastination. It also helps you assess your progress along the way.
Example of a goal without a timeframe: “I want to read more books.” Example of a time-bound goal: “I want to read 20 books in the next 12 months, averaging one book per month.”
So, say you want to run a marathon. Here’s what your write up could look like.
Specific: I want to run a marathon.
Measurable: I will complete a full 26.2-mile marathon within the next 12 months.
Achievable: I will train regularly and consistently, following a structured marathon training plan, gradually increasing my mileage, and seeking guidance from a running coach or experienced runner as needed. I will also make sure to prioritize injury prevention and recovery.
Relevant: Running a marathon aligns with my long-term goal of improving my physical fitness and challenging myself both mentally and physically. It will also support my desire to lead a healthier lifestyle.
Time-bound: I will run the marathon on [specific date] within the next 12 months, which gives me a clear deadline to work toward.
In this example, the SMART goal is specific (running a marathon), measurable (26.2 miles within 12 months), achievable (with proper training and support), relevant (aligned with personal goals), and time-bound (with a specific date set). This goal is well-structured and provides a clear roadmap for someone aspiring to run a marathon.
It is incredibly daunting! There’s so much information out there and so much of it is conflicting! Worry not, we will cover why nutritional science is confusing (there is a valid reason for this, most of it is bad reporting lol) and we will also cover protein powders in the near future. If you still have questions after those posts, I’ll fill in the gaps then. 🙂 So excited to have you on this journey with us!
Hi Nicole! Wonderful to hear that you’ve been prioritizing yourself more and the movement your body needs. I hope I live up to the expectations Jodi and Ula have set out 😛
I’m so glad to hear that! 🙂
I completely agree. It makes you feel like you have some wiggle room. The ability to be more gentle with yourself as it isn’t “as” important if you miss one day. Its the long term consistency that matters.
SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. When you set a SMART goal, you are more likely to have a clear understanding of what you want to accomplish and how you plan to achieve it.
· Specific: Your goal should be clear and specific, answering the questions of “who,” “what,” “where,” “when,” and “why.” It should leave no room for ambiguity or confusion. Specific goals help you focus your efforts and provide a clear direction.
Example of a non-specific goal: “I want to get in shape.”
Example of a specific goal: “I want to lose 10 pounds in three months by exercising three times a week and following a balanced diet.”
· Measurable: A measurable goal allows you to track your progress and determine when you have achieved it. You should be able to quantify or assess your goal using specific metrics or criteria.
Example of a non-measurable goal: “I want to be more productive at work.”
Example of a measurable goal: “I want to increase my daily productivity by completing at least 90% of my to-do list for the next three months.”
· Achievable: Your goal should be realistic and attainable. While it’s good to challenge yourself, setting an unattainable goal can be demotivating. Ensure that your goal is within your capabilities and resources.
Example of an unachievable goal: “I want to become a professional athlete in one year with no prior experience.”
Example of an achievable goal: “I want to complete a half-marathon in six months, gradually increasing my running distance and endurance.”
· Relevant: Your goal should be relevant to your broader objectives and values. It should make sense in the context of your life, aligning with your long-term plans and priorities.
Example of an irrelevant goal: “I want to learn to play the piano, even though I have no interest in music.”
Example of a relevant goal: “I want to improve my public speaking skills because it will help me advance in my career, which is important to me.”
· Time–bound: Your goal should have a specific timeframe or deadline for completion. This adds a sense of urgency and prevents procrastination. It also helps you assess your progress along the way.
Example of a goal without a timeframe: “I want to read more books.”
Example of a time-bound goal: “I want to read 20 books in the next 12 months, averaging one book per month.”
So, say you want to run a marathon. Here’s what your write up could look like.
In this example, the SMART goal is specific (running a marathon), measurable (26.2 miles within 12 months), achievable (with proper training and support), relevant (aligned with personal goals), and time-bound (with a specific date set). This goal is well-structured and provides a clear roadmap for someone aspiring to run a marathon.
Giiiiirl, you and me both! Don’t worry, there will be lots of recipes this year 😛
Glad you joined this year!
It is incredibly daunting! There’s so much information out there and so much of it is conflicting! Worry not, we will cover why nutritional science is confusing (there is a valid reason for this, most of it is bad reporting lol) and we will also cover protein powders in the near future. If you still have questions after those posts, I’ll fill in the gaps then. 🙂 So excited to have you on this journey with us!
Hi Nicole! Wonderful to hear that you’ve been prioritizing yourself more and the movement your body needs. I hope I live up to the expectations Jodi and Ula have set out 😛
Welcome everyone! Any comments and questions you may have will be answered in the comments section 🙂