Ready, Set, GOAL!

Who is making resolutions this year? I never make a huge deal about it - but I do think it's a great time to reflect on the previous year, acknowledge accomplishments and look at areas of my life that I want to change or improve. Many times we sit down on New Year's Eve and say "this year I'm going to lose weight" or "this year I'm going to run more" or "I'm going to start eating more organic produce". These are all great ideas. But when December 31st of next year rolls around, is losing 1 lb enough? Or do you know if you really consumed more fruits and veggies? Probably not. When we create vague resolutions like this, they can be really hard to stick to, and to acknowledge when they've been completed! 

No matter what time of year you make a new resolution or goal, it's always worth it to take a minute and formulate a "SMART" Goal. 

What's a SMART Goal? 
S - Specific
M - Measurable
A - Attainable
R - Relevant
T - Time Bound

Why should you write a goal this way? Having a goal written this way not only helps you create an action plan to complete it, it also makes it possible to see if you actually reached your goal! Let's swap those previous resolutions into SMART Goals. 

• By December 31st, 2015 I will lose 15 lbs. This has an end date, if you have 15 lbs to lose is very relevant, is very possible to do healthfully and you will be able to measure it specifically to know if that goal has been reach. 
• In 2015 I am going to run at least 3 times per week and sign up for and complete 3 races. Again, this is completely attainable you can check this off throughout the year. By year's end you will know if you did it or not!
• Each month of 2013, I am going to buy all of my salad fixings in the organic department and prep the veggies when I get home from the store. This isn't an extraordinary idea that you won't be able to stick to. You aren't saying every piece of produce you will buy is organic, but you know your salads will be helping you reach your goals. 

I hope this makes sense and can help you make some effective goals for the upcoming year. 

what about you?

• Do you make New Years Resolutions? 
  
• What was your biggest accomplishment in 2013? Was it one of your goals?
• What's your biggest goal for 2014?