Productivity experts and life coaches recommend setting SMART goals; Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. That acronym works well when you want to reach a particular target. New Year’s Resolutions are a different story. We live in a world that changes rapidly. Many things can interfere with our daily routines and knock us off-kilter. In addition, our past lack of success with resolutions could make us reluctant even to try this year. However, by re-examining the SMART acronym, we can set ourselves up for success.
Simple
Let’s face it. Humans want to do easy tasks. If your resolution is complicated and has multiple steps, there is a greater chance something can interfere (e.g., pandemic lockdowns). When we get knocked off track, it’s easy to quit. If you want to accomplish a big goal, break it down into small, easy-to-execute sections. Then, work on each step one by one. For example, organize your home in 15-minute bursts, one room at a time. Remember the KISS Principle: Keep It Super Simple.
Meaningful
You are more likely to work towards your resolution if it means something to you. It is your choice if you want to learn to play Dungeons and Dragons, rebuild an internal combustion engine, or re-organize your home. Choose something personal that resonates with you.
Attainable
A resolution to “go to the gym every day and lose # kilograms” may not be attainable. What if the gym is closed, or you can’t afford a membership? A better resolution would be to “exercise every day and eat a balanced diet.” That way, you don’t have to rely on anyone or anything but yourself. Besides, on a glorious day, why exercise in a sweaty, smelly gym when you could be exploring one of our beautiful city parks.
Resources
You need adequate resources to be successful. Of course, financial resources are a part of it, but energy is essential too – mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical. If your work projects are mentally taxing right now, you might want to wait until later in the year to take that graduate class in multivariable calculus. However, a watercolour painting course might be just the thing you need to lift your spirits right now. Make resolutions to improve your life but not at the expense of your resources.
Timely
Ask yourself if your resolution is the best one for right now. If you are home-schooling young children, this might not be the time to launch your own business – or maybe it is precisely the right time. If you are downsizing this year, “decluttering your home” might be timelier than researching a large genealogy project.
In re-examining the SMART acronym for this post, I found that some experts added two more letters to make SMARTER goals. In these instances, “E” stands for evaluate, and “R” means revise/readjust. We should indeed evaluate and readjust our resolutions throughout the year. But if you changed the letters to represent “exciting and rewarding,” you might enjoy the coming year more than ever.
Happy New Year!
