As the saying goes, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” Last year, after an eye-opening annual physical, I decided to create a goal: lose 30 pounds by my next birthday. And I came up with a plan. Using the SMART goals framework—(Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely) —I embarked on my journey with unwavering determination.
Fast-forward 10 months, and I had successfully lost 25 pounds. At that moment, I thought I would easily reach my goal; I was feeling energized and receiving compliments about my appearance. But as the weeks rolled by, the scale maddeningly refused to budge. Each week, the pressure of my self-imposed deadline loomed over me, causing frustration to creep in. Instead of celebrating my 25-pound loss and positive feedback from others, I felt like a failure for not hitting the elusive 30.
What was worse was that I started to notice people who were shedding massive amounts of weight in a short period of time, making me feel even more inadequate and a victim of something I couldn’t even define. In moments of anger, I would self-sabotage: “If eating well and exercising aren’t leading me to my goal, then what’s the point?”
So, here’s the warning they don’t tell you - when you pursue a SMART goal that you don’t achieve, you can unknowingly put yourself on a path that feels more harmful than helpful.
The Trouble with SMART Goals
We hear about SMART goals constantly, often lauded as the gold standard for effective planning. However, the rigid framework can lead us to overlook the bigger picture. While specificity and measurability sound appealing, they can also box us into a corner.
The issue became clear: By narrowing my focus to a number and a deadline, I set myself up for disappointment. What if, instead, I focused on broader, more amorphous goals—like achieving better health, lowering cholesterol, or simply enjoying increased well-being and vitality?
Progress Over Perfection
Concentrating on progress rather than on a fixed target allows flexibility. A shift in mindset may mean asking a different set of questions: - Am I moving in the direction I want? - Am I witnessing changes that align with my values?- Am I genuinely enjoying the process?
Rather than fixating on whether I reached my 30-pound target, I could have focused on enhancing the habits that helped me achieve a 25-pound loss. Even better – I could tap into my underlying “why” I wanted to embark on a weight loss journey in the first place. In other words, what values was I honoring in improving my health?
Values always provide a more expansive and nurturing approach to personal growth. Rather than boxing yourself into a finite goal, embracing values offers limitless possibilities for self-improvement. Values encourage ongoing reflection and can adapt to evolving circumstances, which keeps you moving forward despite setbacks.
Rethinking Resolutions
With the New Year behind us, a season famous for resolutions often falling by the wayside, let’s reconsider how we define our goals. Instead of rigid SMART goals, let’s explore values-driven aspirations that lead to incremental shifts and meaningful changes. “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out,” said Robert Collier.
Instead of setting hard deadlines, promise to take daily actions that align with your values, transforming goal-setting from a chore into a fulfilling exploration. Rethinking how we set goals allows us to cultivate healthier, more resilient mindsets. It’s about taking steps in the right direction, valuing progress, and celebrating every achievement, no matter how small.
So, as you venture into the year ahead, embrace a mindset that prioritizes growth, flexibility, and authenticity over an arbitrary result. And that sounds like the kind of smart thinking we all truly need.
Some Questions to Guide Your Thinking:
Progress Over Perfection: Think of a time when you achieved something significant but didn’t meet the specific target you had in mind. How did focusing on progress help you in that situation?
Rethink Successful Outcomes: What does "success" mean to you? How can you redefine success to include small victories rather than just achieving a final target?
Positive Reinforcement: List five achievements from the past year that you are proud of, no matter how small. How did these achievements contribute to your overall well-being?
Flexible Mindsets: How can adopting a more flexible approach to goals change your mind set about setbacks? Describe a specific instance where you felt pressured by a timeline or target.
Daily Actions: What daily actions can you commit to that align with your values rather than a specific goal? How will you nurture these actions throughout the year?
Enjoying the Process: Reflect on your experiences with any genuinely enjoyable journey, regardless of the outcome. What aspects of the process brought you joy?
Future Goals: As you look to the future, what is one goal or aspiration you want to pursue? How will you ensure it aligns with your values and allows for flexibility?
Learning from Disappointment: Think of a time you felt disappointed by not achieving a goal. What did that experience teach you about yourself and your approach to goal-setting?
Commitment to Change: What is one change you want to make in your life that reflects progress over perfection? How will you begin this change?
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