January 17, 2019 Setting S.M.A.R.T Goals for Healthy Living in 2019 Share on: Last week, we shared some simple ideas on new year resolutions for making 2019 your healthiest lived year yet. Because we know that well – a new year often comes with resolutions; just as well as we know how often in the past we haven’t been able to keep those resolutions. By now, you may be already frustrated because you don’t know where to start. No worries, we got it covered for you! Check out our tips below to set S.M.A.R.T goals together with your resolutions! It’s Specific. So often we have a goal that’s too broad. If you say, “I want to eat healthier” you may be intimidated by how to actually make this goal happen. Instead, ask yourself what eating healthier looks like to you. Does it mean cutting out a few select foods that you know aren’t healthy? Does it mean you are adding an extra serving of fruits and vegetables to your meals three times a week? Define what exactly your goal is, and make sure you have the resources and bandwidth to accomplish it. It’s Measurable. This is incredibly important no matter what type of goal you are setting. When you can measure what you are working to achieve, you are able to recognize progress. Though Healthy Living doesn’t have a final destination, it’s important that you have a road map and benchmarks in place to help you move forward with confidence. For example, instead of saying, “I want to make more time for the activities that matter most to me.” Say, “I’m going to spend a half hour per day on painting this month.” It’s Attainable. Sure, we all have big dreams, but if you set the expectations too high, it’s probably going to lead to a loss of motivation. We all love feeling successful and rewarded for our work, so make sure you are able to accomplish your goal. If your goal is to start saving more money this year, make sure you have the ability and resources to make it happen. Maybe you start your goal by saying you want to put $100 dollars in savings this month; whatever fits your budget. Any amount in savings helps! It’s Relevant. Make sure the smaller goals you are setting really matter to you and are relevant to your long-term goals. If it’s relevant to you and what you are working to achieve, you’ll understand, even if it isn’t totally enjoyable, how the goal fits into the bigger picture. Having this mentality will help you maintain motivation and drive if you start to lose steam! It’s Time-bound. Boundaries are always key to the success of any goal. How long are you willing to give yourself to complete your goal? If there’s a deadline, you’re going to make time to act and work toward the things you want to achieve. If you need help keeping to your deadline, ask someone to help hold you accountable. In case you need a few more examples of what a broad goal vs. a S.M.A.R.T goal look like, see below! Broad Goal: “I want to lose weight.” S.M.A.R.T Goal: “I will lose five pounds in one month.” Broad Goal: “I want to spend more quality time with my family.” S.M.A.R.T Goal: “I will plan at least two game nights with my family this month.” Broad Goal: “I want to be less lazy.” S.M.A.R.T Goal: “I will take a brisk 30-minute walk every week day this month and make a new goal next month.” So, what S.M.A.R.T goals will you set in 2019? Share with us on Facebook and Instagram! We’d love to see how you make the #healthylivingmovement a part of your daily lifestyle.