Setting Personal Goals

By: Pj Germain
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:41:51
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Setting goals is the first step to meeting any challenge. This is true whether you are trying to quit smoking, lose weight, better manage your time or even run a marathon. It is good to be ambitious and think about your long-term objectives. But, it is usually best to identify short-term goals that are manageable and can be monitored as you work toward them. The SMART model of goal setting can help.

S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Achievable
R = Realistic
T = Timely

Set goals that are:

Specific - Be clear about what you want to accomplish. And, know how you plan to achieve it. Instead of saying, “I want to lose weight,” try, “I want to lose 15 pounds.” Answer the questions what, why and how. What is the goal that you want to achieve? Why is it important to you? And, how are you going to go about doing it?

Measurable - Set up milestones along the way to measure your progress. It will help remind you that you are on track with your ultimate goal. Ask yourself, “How will I know when my goal is accomplished?”

Achievable - Make sure your goals are attainable. If your goal is set too high, you might get discouraged and give up. Of course, that does not mean you should set the bar too low. If your goal is not challenging enough, you could miss out on a sense of achievement when you cross the finish line.

Realistic - Recognize that there might be some bumps in the road. Realize that overcoming those obstacles is part of the challenge. Have a plan in place to deal with setbacks. And, periodically reassess your goals to make sure they’re realistic for you.

Timely - Goals should have a target date for completion. This will give you structure and allow you to monitor your progress. Remember, an appropriate time frame for completing a goal will vary based on the individual. For example, two months may be a reasonable for one person to lose 15 pounds. But, others may need more or less time to reach the same goal.

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