If you are like most 30-45-year-olds, you have a lot of dreams. Whether it’s starting a business, purchasing a home, or traveling the world, we all want to achieve something. But how can we make sure we actually get there? That’s where SMART goals come in. So what are SMART goals, and why are they incredibly helpful? Let’s dive in and find out!
What are SMART Goals?
SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely. These five criteria help us create goals that will not only be achievable but also measurable so we can track our progress along the way.
Specific – Goals should be as specific as possible and include details such as who’s involved, what needs to be done, and when it needs to be completed by. For example “I will save $1000 by December 2021” is much better than “I will save money” because it gives us a clear target to aim for.
Measurable – This goes hand in hand with being specific; you want your goal to have an element of measurement so that you can track your progress toward achieving it. For example “I will lose 8 pounds this month” lets you measure your success every week or even daily if needed.
Attainable – You need to set realistic goals that actually fit into your lifestyle; otherwise you may become discouraged if you don’t reach them. It helps to break down large goals into smaller ones so that each step feels achievable; for instance if your goal is to save $1000 by December 2023 then it would make sense to break this down into saving $100/month over 10 months rather than trying to save the full amount at once!
Relevant – Ensure that your goals reflect what matters most to you. This could mean setting aside time each day for self-care activities or focusing on improving relationships with family members or friends—whatever resonates with you most deeply!
Timely – Set deadlines for yourself so that there is an end date in sight; this helps motivate you to stay on track and prevents procrastination from getting in the way of achieving your dream!
Setting SMART goals is an effective way of making sure we stay on track toward achieving our dreams! By breaking down big dreams into smaller goals using the five criteria of being Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely (or ‘SMART’) we can make sure each step forward feels manageable while still keeping our sights firmly set on our ultimate destination. So what are YOU waiting for? It’s time to get started on setting those SMART goals today!