Ditch the Resolutions and Get SMART About Your Goals for the New Year

It’s natural to set intentions at the start of a New Year, and those intentions usually come in the form of grand “resolutions” that, more often than not, we don’t end up keeping. But don’t get discouraged–keep reading to learn about how SMART Goals can help to set you up for success this year.

New Year, New Strategy

If you’re already struggling to keep your New Year’s resolution, you’re not alone; in fact, research has found that 23% of people quit their resolution by the end of the first week, and 43% quit by the end of January. But this common problem isn’t actually about a lack of discipline or laziness–it’s about unrealistic expectations. Some of the most common resolutions are things like “Get more fit,” “Be better with money,” “Get healthy.” While these all sound like great goals to have, by making lofty and vague resolutions like these, we’re actually setting ourselves up for failure. It’s time to leave New Year’s Resolutions in the past and ring in 2024 with S.M.A.R.T Goals.

What are S.M.A.R.T Goals?

This clever acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-based. Following this guide is effective because it helps you to set concrete, tangible goals with a plan on how to achieve them. For example, let’s say that I want to make healthier choices this year. Here’s how I might work towards this by setting a S.M.A.R.T goal:

S - Specific: “Make healthier choices” is too general–instead, I’m going to be more specific and say, “I want to drink at least 100 ounces of water per day at least 5 days a week.”

M - Measurable: Making sure that your goals are measurable help you to track your progress and keep you motivated to continue. Continuing with my example, I can use a water tracking app on my phone to set reminders and keep track of my water intake.

A - Achievable: It’s crucial to make sure that your goals are actually attainable. Drinking 100 oz. of water a day may be a realistic goal for some, but for others that struggle to drink water in general, it might be more realistic to start with a smaller goal.

R - Relevant: People are more likely to achieve their goals if they are relevant to their lives and in line with their values. In this example, drinking more water makes sense because I value my health and fits in with my intention to improve my overall well-being.

T - Time-based: Setting (realistic) timelines to achieve your goals can keep you motivated and help to create good habits. If I set out to drink 100 oz. of water at least 5 days a week for the month of January, chances are it becomes a normal part of my routine by the time I reach my endpoint.

Additional Guidance and Support

If you’re still feeling overwhelmed about setting and achieving your goals, remember that you don’t have to do it all on your own. At Collaborative Minds Psychotherapy, we want to help you succeed. Our therapists have openings for individual therapy with both adolescents and adults if you would like some one-on-one support, as well as group therapy offerings for those who might want to connect with their peers. Contact us today to schedule a free 15-minute call with our intake coordinator to learn more about our services and set yourself up for your best year yet.