Undoubtedly, the value of achieving personal goals is unmeasurable. The self-development industry has offered many different ways of achieving success, embracing a new habit, or even changing your lifestyle; however, most of these are challenging to apply. Changing a habit means changing our mindset and heart-set, and sometimes, it can lead us to a series of transformations along the way that lead to becoming a whole new person. Things become much more complicated regarding behavioural changes, which are crucial for maintaining good health. One must be determined to replace a bad habit with a healthier one. Lifestyle medicine has a critical, easy-to-apply scientific technique to offer. It is called SMART. It is transformative and has already helped thousands of people around the globe, even when applied without a health consultant’s aid. Thus, this article will discuss how τo becomes smarter, healthier, happier, more confident, and more successful.
Table Of Contents:
- What is S. M. A. R. T
- S for specificity
- M for measurable
- A for action-oriented
- R for realistic
- T for timely
- A few more smart tips
What is S.M.A.R.T
SMART is a lifestyle, scientific tool that helps you embrace a new healthy habit. Its name is an Artix from the following words:
From quitting smoking, stopping drinking alcohol, losing weight, and becoming more athletic to increasing quality of life in specific domains, SMART is the ultimate tool for achieving goals and transforming lives.
Here’s how you apply SMART and make it work in your favour. Don’t forget to CLAIM YOUR FREE SMART SUPER- TEMPLATE THAT WILL HELP YOU TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE, at the end of the article!
S for specificity
Vague goals often lead to ambiguous results. Being specific is critical to success. Therefore, when setting goals, aim to be as precise as possible. Rather than saying, ‘I want to reduce my sugar intake’ or ‘I want to lose weight,’ which are too general, try to be more specific, such as ‘I will cut out white sugar in my tea and limit myself to one cupcake per week’ or ‘I plan to lose 4 kg in the next two months.’ By doing so, you increase your chances of achieving your desired results.
M for measurable
It’s crucial to ensure that your progress is measurable so that you can keep track of your accomplishments. One effective way to do this is to maintain a small notebook and record your daily progress. At the end of the week, you can assess your progress and establish your next achievable goal. This way, you can always be sure that you’re progressing and moving closer to your ultimate objective.
A for action-oriented
In our busy lives, it’s essential to have a plan of action to make things convenient and accessible. To stay focused on our goals, we should use a template effectively and jot down various actions we can take in any situation. When trying to achieve a goal, it’s essential to specify alternatives, or we may end up replacing a bad habit with an even worse one. For example, the goal is to reduce red meat intake. In that case, one should think about all available replacement options and write them down. The more detailed and specific the actions defined, the more likely it is to achieve the goals.
R for realistic
You’ve made significant progress by setting a specific goal and planning different scenarios. Remember that any change can be challenging at the beginning, messy in the middle, but ultimately rewarding. Don’t give up even when you feel less motivated, tired, confused, or frustrated. It’s normal to have these feelings. Set realistic goals to prevent setbacks and keep moving forward. For example, if your goal is to cut out white sugar from your diet, start with small steps, like having only one spoon of sugar in your tea and eating cake only on Sundays. You can do this! Remember that your goals should be achievable and easy to follow. Keep going and maintain your progress.
T for timely
It’s essential for you to decide how long you’re willing to try to achieve your goal. Setting deadlines can help you stay disciplined and focused. However, it’s essential to be realistic about the time needed for the goal. For example, losing 10 kg in a month is not a healthy or realistic goal. When adopting a new habit, remember that it takes at least 22 days for the brain’s neuroplasticity to take effect and establish that habit.
A few more smart tips
Consider teamwork
Striving to achieve your goals alone can be daunting, and you may find it frustrating sometimes. Collaborating with others is always a great idea, as it can help you stay motivated and prevent you from giving up. You can join a group of people who share the same goal and learn from each other’s experiences. Alternatively, you can confide in a trusted friend or family member and share your thoughts and reflections with them. If you need a health professional’s guidance, don’t hesitate to seek their advice. Embrace the idea of achieving your goals through teamwork, as it ensures the best results and brings people closer together.
Celebrate!
It’s crucial always to appreciate the power of rewarding yourself. Neuroscience has shown that if the reward level is more significant than expected, it can lead to reward learning, an increase in dopamine signalling, and motivation to repeat that behaviour. So, whenever you achieve a small goal, consider treating yourself to something you enjoy and appreciate. It doesn’t have to be expensive, just something that makes you happy. This way, you can stay motivated even during difficult times. Finally, celebrate with all your heart when you complete your SMART project. You deserve it!
TO DOWNLOAD FOR FREE MY SMART TEMPLATES FOR SEVERAL DIFFERENT GOALS, VISIT MY LIBRARY!
Finally, if this article has offered you value, please share it so other people may benefit!
Sincerely
Chris Backo