New Years Resolution?

For many people January is a time to reflect on ones health.  Each year many people try to get in shape, loose weight and spend more time taking care of them selves, very few people actually succeed in achieving their wellness goals.  Many of us set goals, few of us know how to achieve those goals. 

Smart Goal Setting

  • S  – Specific
  • M – Measurable
  • A – Attainable
  • R – Realistic
  • T – Timely

Specific –  by being specific we can focus our efforts and know exactly how we plan on achieving our goal.  Questions you should be asking are What/Why/How.  Try not to say “I want to loose weight” or “I want to be healthier”, instead be specific “I want to loose 1″ off my waist line” or ” I want to walk a mile a day”. 

Measurable –  When setting your goal, set a goal that can be measured.  By tracking your progress you can stay on track and motivate yourself to achieve your specific goal.  If you cant measure it, you can’t achieve it.

Attainable –  Don’t make a goal that you cannot achieve.  Instead set a goal that pushes you slightly, it is important to know that your goal is achievable.  Trying to loose 10lbs a week is not a good goal.  How are you going to feel after 2-3 weeks of not achieving your goal?  Most people just give up in frustration.  If you say that you want to loose 1lb a week that is a goal that is achievable. 

Realistic –  This does not mean “easy”.  Your gaol should be do-able.  Avoid saying things like i will never eat Cake,Chocolate, Candy, or Soda ever again.  A great idea is to say “I will eat a Salad for dinner 3 times a week” or “I will drink water with my dinner”.  Set your goals high enough so that you feel satisfied when you achieve your goals but not so low that you don’t have to try. 

Timely –  When do you plan on achieving your goal?  Plan when you expect to reach your goal, next week, next month.  You need to create a sense of urgency, that pushes you .  Avoid saying things like “I will start next week” or “I have plenty of time”.  Time must be specific, measurable, attainable and realistic.

The most important step in goal setting is writing down your goals and review them frequently. Setting SMART goals can help you beat the odds and achieve your wellness goals in 2008.


Comments

One response to “New Years Resolution?”

  1. […] Originally Syndicated via RSS from [Technorati] Tag results for massage […]