smart goals

"i want to get in shape." "i want to make more money." "i want to be happier."

congratulations, you've just described a wish. not a goal. and wishes don't produce results.

why most goals fail

the number one reason goals fail isn't lack of motivation — it's lack of specificity. "get in shape" means nothing. your brain can't execute on vague instructions. it needs precision to build a plan, track progress, and know when it's done.

this is where SMART comes in.

the framework that actually works

specific — what exactly are you trying to achieve? "lose weight" becomes "lose 15 pounds of body fat."

measurable — how will you track it? "get stronger" becomes "deadlift 300 pounds."

attainable — is it realistic given your current situation? stretch yourself, but don't set yourself up for guaranteed failure.

relevant — does this goal actually matter to you, or is it someone else's priority you've adopted?

time-bound — when's the deadline? without a date, a goal is just a daydream.

an example

bad goal: "i want to read more."

SMART goal: "i will read 12 books by December 31st by reading 25 pages every morning before work."

see the difference? the second version tells you exactly what to do, when to do it, and how to know if you're on track.

the uncomfortable part

SMART goals are uncomfortable because they're specific enough to fail at. "get healthier" can never technically fail — you can always tell yourself you're making progress. "lose 15 pounds by June 1st" either happens or it doesn't.

that accountability is exactly why they work. vague goals let you hide. specific goals force you to perform.

do this right now

take your biggest current goal. run it through the SMART filter. rewrite it until it passes all five criteria. then put the deadline somewhere you'll see it every day.

if this resonated, share it with someone who needs to hear it.