How to Set “Smart” Goals

When setting personal goals for health, fitness, or any other aspect of our lives, we should aim to achieve the “SMART” goals criteria.

S – specific: Make narrow and specific goals for more effective planning.

M – measurable: Determine what evidence will prove your progress.

A – attainable: Make sure your goal is reasonable within a given time frame.

R – relevant: Your goals should align with your values and long-term objectives.

T – time-bound: Set a realistic but ambitious end-date for task prioritization.

EXAMPLE: Be able to do 5 pushups in a row within 2 months.

In setting this goal, I identified one specific exercise I would like to improve, and I specified that I would like to do 5 consecutive repetitions without rest. I can measure progress by tracking the exact number of pushups I can do in a row over time. This goal is attainable within the specified time frame (2 months). Lastly, the goal aligns with my long-term objectives for improving performance.