"smart" resolutions

Happy New Year!

As we look back on 2009 and forward to 2010, it is natural to think of the changes we would like to make in our lives. Many of you are probably making New Year's resolutions, looking at that 1/1/10 date on the calendar as a starting point for a healthier way of being. Here are some guidelines to make you successful in reaching your goals.

Keep in mind the acronym "SMART" when making resolutions or setting goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time Framed. By making sure that your goals meet these criteria, you're more likely to maintain your motivation and accomplish what you set out to achieve.

Specificy the behavior you wish to change. Instead of saying, for example, "I will be healthier," determine a particular healthy behavior you will work toward integrating into your life. "I will exercise 3 days a week," or "I will floss my teeth every other day," or "I will eat a piece of fruit every day" are examples.

Measurability means you can evaluate your progress. So instead of saying "I will increase my exercise," identify the number of days you will be active and/or the amount of time you will put into your regimen. "I will do cardio two days a week for half an hour and lift weights two days a week for twenty minutes" is a measurable goal.

Achievable and Realistic take into account your ability and lifestyle, as well as the rationality of your goal. Saying you're going to do something like exercise "every day" is probably unrealistic, as is setting a goal to "never" do something else like eat chocolate. Do previous injuries prevent you from running a marathon? Will you really be able to maintain 110 pounds?  Set goals that are not too easy, but are within your reach.

Time Frame your goals whether it be by the day, week, month, or year, and reassess as necessary. "I will work out 3 days a week for half an hour in the month of January" is a time-framed goal. At the end of the month, I can see if I accomplished my goal and if there are changes I would like to make for the following month.

When you set goals using the SMART system, you are more likely to stay focused, motivated, and achieve what you set out to accomplish. There are few things that feel better than reaching a challenging goal, so think about it and go for it!

This year, I resolve to keep my blog updated at least every two weeks, to ski the Saudan Couloir this season (snow conditions permitting), and to write in my gratitude journal weekly. What does 2010 hold in store for you? Keep me posted!

Ellen