The New Year is upon us; believe it or not 2013 is here! The new year is where most people attempt to make fresh starts by setting New Year Resolutions… you’ve seen these ambiguous resolutions before: “I want to lose weight,” “I want to do what makes me happy,” “I want to get organized,” “I want to quit smoking,” and etc. I bet you’re reading this and the thought of your New Year Resolutions came to mind. Me on the other hand I’m saying to the hell with New Year Resolutions! Yes folks I’m Anti-New Year Resolutions and you should be too! Why? Because only 8% of people successfully achieve their New Year Resolution; I bet after reading that quick fact, a flash came upon you, of all the New Year Resolutions that you did not achieve. You’re probably thinking you’re doomed…Well you’re right…You are doomed, if you are going fall for New Year Resolution trap again… Now, Now don’t cry because Martinus got your back.
How you ask?
I challenge you all to forget all about New Year Resolutions this year. When people ask; tell them you that don’t have any…They may look at you crazy, like “you don’t have any New Year Resolutions?” Tell them yes you don’t! Instead of having New Year Resolutions that are bound to fail, set SMART goals. Now I bet you thinking what are SMART goals Martinus? SMART is a pneumonic for having goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-sensitive.
Goals are evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Specific: The goal answers the 6 W’s
- Who: Who is involved?
- What: What do I want to accomplish?
- When: Establish a time frame
- Where: Identify a location.
- Why: Specific reasons, purpose or benefits of accomplishing the goal.
- Which: Identify requirements and constraints.
- Measurable: The goal answers how much, how many, and how will I know when I accomplish the goal. (When you measure your progress, you stay on track, reach your target dates, and experience the exhilaration of achievement that spurs you on to continued effort required to reach your goal.)
- Attainable: The goal identifies the requirements to make it happen and constraints that may keep you from attaining the goal. You should ask yourself: How can I make this goal happen?
- Realistic: The goal addresses conditions that would have to exist to accomplish this goal. (Think of the condition and you mindset) You will know your goal is probably realistic if you truly believe that it can be accomplished.
- Time-sensitive: The goal has a start, mid, and end-date. Ask yourself:
- When?
- What can I do today?
- What can I do tomorrow
- What can I do 6 weeks from now?
- What can I do 6 months from now?
Below is an example of a SMART goal in action
A general New Year Resolution would be, “I going to run a half marathon.” But a SMART Goal would say, “Beginning January 15, 2013 I will start training to run a half marathon and run it by December 1, 2013. Accomplishing this goal will help me live a healthier lifestyle. To ensure success I’ll commit myself to buying appropriate running shoes, joining a local running club/ hiring a running coach, running at least 4 times a week, and running a race at least once a month until I run a half marathon.
By setting SMART goals this will help you become more accountable for your goals. They will no longer be ambiguous; instead they will be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-sensitive.
Now that you have SMART Goals you might be thinking that you will need help with accountability. Now you know Martinus got your back on that too. Thanks to the wonders of social media, because we can help each other with our goals. I’ve created a group on Facebook called Crushing Goals Together… This will be a community where like-mined individual’s help each other plan, track, and crush goals. This will give us a place to:
- Check-in and discuss our goals
- Give and receive usefully information that can help each other accomplish our goals
- Give and receive motivation and inspiration to each other
Let 2013 be there year where you say NO to the ambiguous New Year Resolutions and YES to goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-sensitive. Let plan, track and crush goals together, please join the Crushing Goals Together Facebook Group. If you haven’t done so please “Like” the 300 Pounds and Running Facebook Page, if you would to “Friend Me” you can do so here, follow me on Twitter @300lbsandrunnin.
Question of the day. What are your thoughts about New Year Resolutions? Do you make them? Do you achieve them? Also leave a comment below stating one of your 2013 SMART Goals.
See you next year!
Until next time I’m 300 Pounds and Running
