Be S.M.A.R.T. When Planning Your New Year's Resolutions And Goals

This coming year should be one of your best ever. But you have to be S.M.A.R.T. when planning your resolutions and goals. Use the S.M.A.R.T. acronym in planning and have a higher chance of success. S.M.A.R.T. stands for:

Specific: A specific goal has a much greater chance of being accomplished than a general goal. Identify exactly what one wants to accomplish. For example, “I want to walk 10,000 steps a day for the next four weeks,” or “I want to lose 5 pounds in the next four weeks.”

Measurable: Establish criteria for measuring progress toward each goal set. To determine whether the goal is measurable, ask questions such as “How much?” “How many?” “How will I know when it is accomplished?” If the goal can’t be measured, it can’t be managed.

Attainable: When the most important goals are identified, the goal setter can begin to figure out ways to make them come true. A goal needs to be slightly challenging. For example, if a new client aims to run a marathon next month, this is not attainable, but walking two miles per day probably is.

Realistic: Do not confuse realistic with easy. Realistic simply means that the goal is within the availability of resources, knowledge, and time.

Time-oriented: Set a time frame for the goal: for next week, in three months, by the next birthday. Putting an end point on a goal gives a clear target to work toward. If a time is not set, the commitment is too vague. Without a time limit, there’s no urgency to start taking action now.

New Year’s Resolutions

Percent of Americans who usually make New Year’s Resolutions: 45%

Percent of people who are successful in achieving their resolution: 8%

Percent who have infrequent success: 49%

Percent who never succeed and fail on their resolution each year: 24%

Statistics show that the average time it takes a person to break a new year's resolution is two weeks to one month

8 Reasons Your New Year's Resolutions Didn't Stick

1. You didn’t make a plan for it.

2. You forgot the reasons why you were doing it.

3. You didn’t plan for setbacks.

4. You didn’t have a strong support network.

5. You took on too much too fast.

6. You weren’t accountable to anyone.

7. It wasn’t that important in the first place.

8. You’re afraid of success.

So plan your resolutions and goals using the S.M.A.R.T. concept and you will be well on your way to 2013 your fittest year ever!

If you need more assistance with your goals, check out the new schedule, specials and classes offered here  - New schedule and classes

Eric

Dempsey's Resolution Fitness