How to set goals and work towards them

Having goals can help us to improve our life in various ways. As a fitness and educational professional I have worked on goals both personally, with my clients and with my students. If you are looking at working towards achieving a specific goal have a look at my quick run down of the SMART goals principle.

SMART goals follows a basic step by step process to outlining what you are working towards, how you might achieve it and on what time frame you want to work towards your goal. The SMART goals principle can be applied not only to your health and fitness but to all aspects of your life.

S - Specific

Make sure your goals are specific. If they are too broad you will lose your way and feel overwhelmed with how to get to your end goal. If your goal is a big one like to change your profession, break this down into 3 smaller goals to help you get to that point. An example of a specific goal is to run 5km. A non-specific goal would be to get better at running. ‘To get better at running’ is too broad to measure and therefore, is hard to know if it has been achieved. If a goal isn’t specific enough we tend to lose motivation in trying to achieve it, as it has no end point. It can also be hard to plan the steps that can help us achieve the goal.

M - Measureable

Setting a measureable goal is important. We want to track how we are going working towards our goals, so we can make improvements as we go. An example of a measureable goal is to run 5km without stopping. A non-measureable goal would be to run without stopping.

A - Achievable

Make sure your goal is achievable. I know that losing 0.5-1kg a week of weight is achievable with specifically planned diet and exercise. However, it is not achievable or safe to lose 4-6kg in a week.

R - Realistic

Being realistic is very important. For example I know I am able to train myself to run a long distance such as a half marathon within the next 2 years. However, to go from not running at all after having my baby to running a half marathon in 3 months time or becoming an Olympic athlete within the next year is not realistic for me.

T - Timely

Setting a time frame for your goals helps you stay on track. It enables you to break down what you’d like to achieve over a period of time that is relevant to your current life. A timely goal would be to run 3kms without stopping in 1-2 months.