‘SMART’ is an intelligent acronym for an efficient strategy applicable to attaining any personal goal. Specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timed are the critical pieces to outlining SMART goals. Effectively utilizing the SMART goal setting strategy can help any type of goal finally come to fruition.
To truly plan a SMART goal, grab a pencil and paper. Desires become goals when they are intentionally thought about, planned, and recorded.
Specific
Ok, this statement indicates a desire, but is somewhat vague and subjective. The first part of setting a SMART goal requires the goal to be as specific as possible. Sometimes this will be easy, sometimes this will require deep thought and research that might take days or weeks.
Example of the thought process by which a vague goal can become specific:
Start running
Run a race
Run a 5k
Run the Firecracker 5k on July 4th
Run the Firecracker 5k on July 4th in under 30 minutes
This very specific goal that was arrived at is something that is concrete. Either it will be accomplished, or it will not.
Measurable
Now that a very specific goal is written down on paper, a making sure its measureable is next. With goals pertaining to areas such as running or weight loss, numbers are intrinsically involved, making measurement relatively easy. Remember, the more specific the goal, the easier it will be to measure it.
Achievable
Is this something that can concretely be achieved? Choosing a goal that is unachievable can lead to disappointment. Choosing a smaller goal that has greater chance for achievement can boost your confidence and serve as a useful stepping stone to future goals.
Realistic
Being sure the goal is actually realistic is crucial as well. If the goal is in an area outside of your 
comfort zone, you may want to consult a professional to help decide. For example, if your goal is to run a 5k race, what is your current level of fitness? How much time is necessary to train for the race to complete it in the goal time? Making sure your goal is realistic will give you the chance you need to be successful.
Timed
If your goal does not have a set date—set one! If the end date of the goal is too far in the future, set smaller checkpoints throughout the way to stay on track.
So what’s your goal? Whatever it is—athletic, weight loss, career, home organization, life, etc.—make it SMART. Specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timed goals are more likely to be accomplished. Thinking about, organizing, and putting these aspects on paper will help your goals come to fruition.
Need help organizing your goal? Contact Fruition Fitness for a free consultation!
