SMARTER3

In the well known SMART system for goals, setting a 'specific' goal usually implied things such as lose x amount of weight or inches.  With the SMARTER system, setting a specific goal is actually a bit more general.  You should look at what aspect of your life are you looking to improve. What is the outcome or goal you would like to achieve.  Although this may still be weight loss or trimming inches, it's important not to focus on a specific number as this can become overwhelming and potentially discouraging.  There are many aspects of life we are likely wanting to improve, and choosing one of them is a good place to start.

Usually 'measurable' implies being able to quantify the specific goal you have, in order to verify weather it is achieved or not.  However, in the SMARTER system what we are actually measuring is the ACTION(S) that you are taking that will move you in the direction of your established goal.  Having a daily ACTION or a set number of times you will do something in a week is what you are going to measure.  Using tracking devices such as watches or apps can help measure your executed ACTIONS.  Charts are also a great way of having a visual reminder of the ACTIONS you have committed to.  

What daily or weekly actions can you realistically do that will move you in the direction of an outcome or goal you are looking to achieve.  These ACTIONS start small so you can experience immediate success.

Set yourself up for success by choosing ACTIONS that are not overwhelming to achieve and have as little ways as possible of being derailed by life’s unexpected obstacles.

Setting a time frame you are going to commit to can help with your commitment.  It usually takes 21 days to create a habit.  Ultimately though, the focus is on creating positive habits resulting in realistic lifestyle changes that become your new way of life.  

Experiencing daily or weekly success allows you to feel a sense of accomplishment throughout your time frame resulting in greater compliance and ultimately more change.  The SMARTER system is all about experiencing success every day or week by focusing on the actions you are constantly completing.  This is empowering.  It feeds a positive loop that is the key to implementing the habits that will become part of your lifestyle long term.

Daily or weekly reflection presents you the opportunity to be proud of accomplishing the actions you have committed to.  It brings awareness to your progress and empowers you to keep going.  At times though, you may find a need to make some revisions to your action plan due to special circumstances (injury, sickness, etc.). Making appropriate adjustments can also mean increasing the action plan.  Incorporating new actions or adding to existing actions as you progress is generally a good idea.  Then you repeat.  Repeat each day or week.  Also at the end of your set out time frame, repeat by continuing on with a new time frame of the same or new actions that will continue to move you in the desired outcomes you want in life.  Ultimately you are creating a lifestyle.  You are creating habits that will now be a reflections of the outcomes you were striving for.

WANT IT,  GET IT,  LIVE IT!!