Wholeness Healing Center

Making SMART Goals Is a Continuous Journey, Not Just for the New Year

The New Year celebrations have come and gone. Studies have shown that 88% of people fail to keep their New Year’s resolutions within the first two weeks of January (Barnes, 2024). We all tend to set great expectations for ourselves in the new year, often with the mantra, “New Year, New me.” However, every day is a great day to start a new resolution or simply a new goal.

The struggle often comes with the statement, “Where do I start?” George T. Doran, in his 1981 paper, There’s a S.M.A.R.T. Way to Write Management’s Goals and Objectives, provided a clarifying way to write meaningful objectives. While it may have been born in the land of corporate planning, SMART goals can help people improve their chances of success. The beauty of SMART goals lies in their flexibility and applicability to any area of life, making you feel that you can apply them to any aspect of your life. (Doran, 1981)

SMART is an acronym that symbolizes the five criteria areas for formulating your goal. These five criteria areas are Specific: target a specific area of improvement; Measurable: quantify, or at least suggest, an indicator of progress; Achievable: be realistic, what will it take to achieve this goal; Relevant: to be worthwhile; and Time: when the result can be achieved. An example of a SMART goal may be: “To improve my speaking skills by taking an additional course and delivering a well-formulated and confident presentation at our club’s conference within the next 4 months.” The goal is specific by showing the desire to improve public speaking, and there is a particular action. The measurable action is completing an online course and delivering a confident presentation. The goal is achievable through practice and a reasonable time frame and is relevant because it can directly relate to career advancement. This goal also sets a specific timeline to be completed by the specificity of the goal to be completed in four months.

For some, your new year goal is well underway, and you are meeting your expectations. For those of you looking to try something new in the present or who may have struggled even to get started, try the SMART pathway. Here are a few tips as you begin your new goal. Share your goal with someone who can support and hold you accountable. This support system will make you feel connected and supported, enhancing your journey. Have a way to check your progress regularly. Take time to evaluate your achievements. If needed, split your goal into smaller parts, and most importantly, develop a great support system to help cheer you on in your successes as you achieve new things in 2025 and beyond! If you are still struggling with where you may want to start, consider your overall well-being, including stress management, mental health, physical health, or financial health. Remember, no matter the day, month, or year, it is always a great time to set new goals for yourself.

Works Cited
Barnes, T. (2024). New years resolutions: Why do we give up on them so quickly? Baylor College of Medicine. https://www.bcm.edu/news/new-years-resolutions-why-do-we-give-up-on-them-so-quickly
Doran, G.T. (1981). There’s a S.M.A.R.T. way to write management’s goals and objectives. Management Review, 70, 35-36