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Start the New Year with SMART Goals
Making behavior change last requires thoughtful goal setting, perseverance, and patience with yourself. Behavior change doesn’t happen all at once. It takes lots of little moments of making the new, more positive choice, and fewer moments of making the old, easier choice.
Dr. Brittney Schrick, University of Arkansas Extension Family Life Specialist, shares some words of wisdom for starting SMART for 2023.
Get your goals in shape, use the acronym SMART to help you set goals you can meet and make last a lifetime.
S – Specific: Goals you set should be specific rather than too broad or vague. This helps you target smaller behaviors.
M – Measurable: These give you goals that can be tracked and worked toward.
A – Attainable: Make sure your goal is something that can be achieved.
R – Realistic: Even if a goal is specific, measurable, and attainable, it should matter to you and be something you want to achieve. If you have no desire to change your behavior toward this goal, it will not happen.
T – Time-Sensitive: Setting a timeline for achieving your goal can help you gauge your progress and boost your motivation.
An example of a SMART Goal is Try this: “I’m going to drink 60 ounces of water every day.” Not that: “I’m going to get healthier.”
Start smart with SMART Goals. Happy New Year!
Source: Pam Pruett, Miss. County Family & Consumer Sciences Agent.
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