Setting SMART Goals can help set you up for success, but it’s important to monitor your progress towards your goal. This will help you to know if the changes you are making are bringing you closer to where you want to be. A great place to start is to re-review the measurable and timebound components of your goal we talked about last time we saw each other. Let’s use Cathy’s goal as an example.
Remember in our How to Set a SMART Goal-Part 2 article, Cathy’s SMART Goal was “to begin following the balanced plate principles by filling half my plate with fruits and/or vegetables during at least two of my meals every day for the next month. This will help me work towards my long-term goal to lose weight in the next 6 months, so that I can fit into a sentimental dress for my daughter’s wedding.”
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When reviewing the measurable components of her goal, Cathy could ask herself, “Have I been filling half my plate with fruits and/or vegetables for at least 2 meals daily?” If her answer is yes, she’s on track with her SMART goal. If her answer is no, she might need to evaluate her goal further.
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When Cathy checks in on the measurable part of her goal, she can also evaluate the timebound part of her SMART goal, which was one month. Does this still feel like a reasonable timeframe based on the progress she’s making towards her long-term goal to lose weight in 6 months?
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Once you’ve looked at the measurable and timebound components of your goal, think about how much progress you’ve made and how much longer you have left until you want to reach your long-term goal. Have you been consistent with your current goal? Check in with how you’re feeling- you might be on track to making your goal happen, but are you feeling stressed or overwhelmed? Or maybe you’re not feeling challenged enough?
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Based on your progress, the time that has passed, the time remaining, and how you’re feeling, does it seem reasonable that you’ll reach your long-term goal with the help of the short-term, SMART goal you have established for yourself? Do you need to change your plan and take it a step further, or maybe scale it back a bit?
Now that you’ve evaluated your progress and how you’re feeling about your goal, let’s talk about a few tips to help you if you are struggling and not progressing as you’d like towards your goal.
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Consider utilizing an accountability partner- if you feel comfortable, find someone to share your goal with and let them know you’d like them to help hold you accountable. A great time to check in on your health and lifestyle goals is during your monthly call with your Care Coordinator.
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Consider barriers- is something in your life making it particularly difficult to reach this goal? If so, is there a way you can work around that barrier?
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Ask yourself, what has helped you to be successful in the past when working to achieve your goals? This can help you to evaluate what you already have in place that can set you up for success.
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Keep a log. Studies have shown logging your efforts helps keep you on track and can help keep you motivated.
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Check-in with yourself more frequently, maybe that is daily or weekly.
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Don’t be afraid to make changes- if you start working towards a goal and it doesn’t feel reasonable, or it feels too easy, don’t be afraid to change your goal.