What is SMART? It is a method for managing goals.

• Specific - Set specific goals, not vague ones. Answering one or more of the W’s can help.
  • Who is involved?
  • What do I want to accomplish?
  • Where will I do this?
  • When will I do it?
  • Why do I want to complete this goal?

Vague - “I want to lose weight.” Specific - “I will go to the gym three times per week so that I will lose 10lbs in 6 months.”

• Measureable - If you cannot measure it, how do you know when you are done? Ask these questions:
  • How much?
  • How many?
  • What does done look like?

“Begin with the end in mind,” is the 2nd Habit in Steven Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”

• Attainable - Your goal should stretch you, but not break you. When the goal is important to you, you will figure out ways to make them come true. You will develop the attitudes, abilities, skills and capacity to reach them.

  • How can I accomplish this?

• Relevant - The goal-setter must be willing and able to work towards completion.

  • Is it worthwhile?

• Timely - Set a due date. Commit to complete the goal on or before the due date.

  • When?
  • What can I do in 6 months? In 6 weeks? In 6 hours?

This should define a little better what a SMART goal is and how to set them. Hopefully, by being SMART, or should I say, using SMART…resolutions will become goals which become accomplishments.