Setting SMART Goals

One of the strongest predictors of long-term success in changing your habits is starting with the right goal. If you have unrealistic expectations about how easy it will be to adopt new habits or how quickly you will start to see results, you could be setting yourself up for failure. 

The process of developing healthy habits is just as important as the outcome itself. S.M.A.R.T. goals focus on changes in actions, habits, or behaviours to help you reach your big goal. 
Realistic, well-planned goals will help keep you focused and motivated, and they provide a plan for change as you transition to a healthier lifestyle. Unrealistic and overly aggressive goals can undermine your effort and set you up for failure. ​



An outcome goal is what you hope to achieve in the end (e.g., run 5 km in under 30 minutes). While this goal may give you a target, it doesn't address how you reach it. That's where SMART goals come in. SMART goals focus on changes in actions, habits, or behaviours in day to day that are necessary to achieve your outcome goal, which is longer-term. 


Process goals are the small steps you need to take to reach your outcome. They may address What, When, and Where? SMART goals help create clarity and build momentum.​




Here are a few more examples of SMART goals 
  • I will make a game plan for meals this week and go grocery shopping for what I need on the weekend. 
  • I will check in with my hunger using the discovery scale before eating. 
  • I will cook at home three times this week and make enough to have leftovers. 
  • At lunchtime, I will take a walk to move my body and help relieve stress on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. 
  • I will drink a big glass of water with every meal.
  • I will pack a snack to take with me to the office every day this week. 
  • I will stock the fridge with a few healthy snacks I enjoy that I can grab when I am hungry between meals but short on time. 

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How challenging should my goal be? 
Your goals should feel like a bit of a stretch in terms of difficulty. Challenging but not impossible, with a bit of hard work and discipline. On a scale of 1-10 in terms of difficulty, your goal should be about an 8. 


Now it's your turn to create a S.M.A.R.T. Goal. 

Let's Do this!
Click HERE to create your goals
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