In recent weeks, you’ve probably seen loads of New Year’s resolutions about working out every day, eating fewer processed foods, reading more books, and the like. While visualizing and planning out your goals can be a productive use of your time. However, you must ensure your aspirations are realistic for your current lifestyle. Then, you need to strategize how you will achieve them.
If you’re looking for advice on how to establish attainable goals and crush them in 2022, you’ve come to the right place! Below, Kanika Chadda-Gupta discusses SMART goals and tips on strategizing improvements in your life and career.
What Are SMART Goals?
Essentially, SMART goals are a technique that helps you clearly define and measure your goals to accomplish them. The acronym stands for:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Relevant
- Time-based
As the acronym suggests, any goal you establish for yourself should be specific; setting vague goals without a defined purpose can lead to disappointment and frustration. Your goals should also be measurable, meaning you can track your progress and completion of each task.
Establishing achievable goals is critical. While you should challenge yourself, you shouldn’t commit to unrealistic expectations.
Furthermore, any plan you set for yourself this year should be relevant to your current life and aspirations. And it would help if you gave yourself time frames for accomplishing each goal. Along with creating a sense of urgency, knowing when you must complete a task can keep you motivated during the daily grind.
Know Your Why
If you are not sure why you are setting the goals, they will gradually lose potency, and you won’t accomplish them. Take time to think deeply about the reasons you are establishing specific resolutions. How will it add value to your life? Will it make you healthier or improve your career? Will it help your relationships?
For example, if you want to boost your career prospects, consider going through higher education. By pursuing an online degree, you can choose a coursework schedule that meets your needs. Just be sure to do your research to find an accredited institution that will allow you to earn your bachelor’s degree at a price you can afford.
Break Down the Year
Many people become overwhelmed when they think about achieving their resolutions over an entire year. You could try to only think about the next three months.
If you have too many goals or even one massive goal, you risk procrastination and potentially throwing in the towel. Think in smaller segments, and write a plan for your goals on a month-by-month basis.
Commit Fully
This one might sound obvious, but if you can’t put your whole heart into eating better, working out regularly, or achieving any other goal you desire, consider waiting until you can. Life goals require you to put in the time and hard work. If you are not dedicated, you can set yourself up for failure and discouragement.
Embrace Failure
Remember that failure is an excellent teacher. Making any significant changes in your life will not come easy, and you will not navigate your challenges perfectly. So, don’t expect that from yourself.
See each mistake as an opportunity for growth, learn your lessons, and persevere. When you look back, you will see how much your character developed through those difficult experiences!
If you want to improve your life, it’s essential to visualize and strategize your goals. Establish SMART goals and know the reasons you are making changes. Also, consider breaking your goals into smaller segments, and make sure you can fully commit to pursuing them. Finally, embrace your mistakes and learn how to improve in the future.
If you enjoyed this article, you can find much more content on KanikaChaddaGupta.com!
Guest post by Karen Weeks
