Some tips on setting SMART goals

A goal without a plan is just a dream. Use these tips to achieve goals at any age.

Are you tired of wrestling with the back and forth of saying “I want to get healthier!” only to never change your eating habits? Or maybe you’ve been saying “I want to learn how to play the piano!” but you never seem to find the time to start. Sometimes the hardest part of setting goals and actually achieving them is getting started. If this sounds like you, then setting SMART goals can help.

SMART goals are based on five principles geared toward making any goal achievable through a clear plan. Consider using these tips for SMART goals from our expert team at Country Club Village in Hot Springs, Arkansas when you are setting your goals for the new year.

S — Specific

When setting your goals, it is important that you make them specific. In doing so, you are already setting out exactly how you plan to achieve your goal. For example, instead of setting the goal: “I want to eat healthier,” try “I will try one new recipe each week that is rich in fiber.” The more specific you can be, the easier it will be to reach your goal and hold yourself accountable to your plan.

M — Measurable

It can be difficult to say you have reached your goal if it is not measurable. For example, your goal might be “I want to be more friendly.” But how will you know if you are successful in this endeavor? Instead, you could say, “I want to make five new friends this month.” This is a trackable goal with a firm finish line that helps you know how close you are to reaching your goal.

A — Achievable

One of the biggest mistakes in setting goals is that they are sometimes not reachable — yet. Here at Country Club Village, we believe that almost anything is possible if you set your mind to it! Some goals just require more time to accomplish than others, so we recommend that you break large goals into smaller pieces that are easier to be achieved. For example, if you have a goal of walking a 5k, start by setting a goal to have the stamina to walk for 10 minutes without stopping, then bump it up to 20 minutes. Before you know it, you will be ready to walk that 5K!

R — Realistic

When setting goals, we may dream big, thinking that we can completely uproot our lives and create entirely new schedules that do not fit our lifestyles to achieve our goals. But sometimes that just is not realistic or even necessary! For example, if you have a goal to become more physically fit, but you hate mornings, there is no use in trying to schedule your gym sessions for early in the morning. You know that you do not like mornings, and you probably are not too fond of the gym yet, so you are setting yourself up to skip your workouts., You do not have to give up on your goal; just reschedule your appointment for the afternoon! This is a more realistic approach to your goals that will help you achieve it sooner and with less stress.

T — Time Bound

Research has shown that if you try to set goals without giving yourself a deadline, you might end up procrastinating or never getting started. By giving yourself a deadline and marking that date on your calendar, you are setting yourself up for success and ensuring you will get started (and finished) by the date you set. For example, if one of your goals is to read more, tell yourself that you will finish one book by the end of the month.

Setting goals is important for everyone, but especially for aging seniors. By setting and achieving goals, seniors can maintain their sense of purpose and ward off depression even in their golden years. The team at Country Club Village is confident that you can achieve any goal you set using the SMART technique!

To learn more about residency or to schedule a tour of Country Club Village, contact our friendly team today.