![\"SMART](\"https:\/\/howtobefit.com\/coach-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/How_SMART_Goals_Will_Help_You_Keep_Your_Resolutions.shutterstock_452664640.HEADER.jpg\")
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To regain my focus and boost my resolution success rate, this year I decided to set SMART goals \u2014\u00a0SMART is an acronym for\u00a0S<\/strong>pecific,\u00a0M<\/strong>easurable,\u00a0A<\/strong>ttainable (or\u00a0A<\/strong>chievable),\u00a0R<\/strong>elevant (or\u00a0R<\/strong>ealistic), and\u00a0T<\/strong>imely.<\/p>\n I\u2019m a big fan of lists, so every New Year I jot down\u00a0goals for the 12 months ahead\u00a0and keep them on a notepad by my computer.<\/p>\n As the year goes on, however, my list of aspirations evolves into more of a mundane to-do list: Lose weight, eat better, and do more yoga move to the bottom of the list, as I tackle tasks like \u201crefi the condo\u201d and \u201cget a colonoscopy.\u201d<\/p>\n The first step to successfully achieving your goals is to carefully define them, says Terri Babers, M.A., C.P.C., an independent certified coach, teacher, and speaker based in Fairbanks, Alaska. \u201cA mistake people often make is jumping in and setting goals without clearly understanding why. You need to think about the benefits of achieving these goals and how you are going to feel when you accomplish them.\u201d<\/p>\n Babers has clients examine what they love doing, their priorities, and any obstacles to making changes in their lives before diving into SMART goal setting.<\/p>\n For example, I love yoga, but I can\u2019t commit to a daily practice because of family and work commitments. Setting a goal to become a certified yoga instructor isn\u2019t realistic for me, but I\u00a0can<\/em>\u00a0make it a priority\u00a0to do yoga three times a week<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cSMART goals are easy if you are ready for action,\u201d says Babers. \u201cBut you must be open to change if you want to succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n Once you have a goal in mind, define it in as much detail as possible. Think about the who, when, what, where, and why of each goal, and weigh the cost of achieving those parameters.<\/p>\n Instead of a general goal like \u201close weight,\u201d I narrowed it down to:\u00a0lose 15 pounds\u00a0by working out after work three times a week.<\/p>\n To do this, I need to commit four hours in my weekly schedule for this new activity, which will result in me looking and feeling great for my upcoming high school reunion.<\/p>\nDefine What You Want to Achieve<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/beachbody-blog\/uploads\/2017\/04\/How_SMART_Goals_Will_Help_You_Keep_Your_Resolutions.shutterstock_408980908.inpost.jpg\" "\\"How")
<\/p>\nHow to Set a SMART Goal<\/strong><\/h2>\n
1. Make it Specific<\/h3>\n
2. Make it Measurable<\/h3>\n