Most of us have some desire to lose weight, to feel more energetic, or simply to be healthier overall. However, simply desiring to look and feel different isn’t the same as having real, tangible fitness goals.
Indeed, if you’re hopeful to make real, lasting change in your life, one of the most important things you can learn is how to set the right goals… goals that you can actually measure and track, and that will provide you with clear benchmarks to strive for.
We’re partial to the SMART goal-setting system. Here’s what it’s all about.
What Are SMART Goals?
The SMART system is all about clarifying your ideas, focusing your efforts, and increasing your chances of actually achieving your health and wellness goals. Here’s what SMART stands for, one letter at a time.
Specific
First, your goals should be specific. (You could also say sensible or simple.)
Basically, you should define your goal as much as possible. What do you want to accomplish? How often will you work toward your goal? Will anyone else be involved in the process, or will you be achieving this goal by yourself?
Measurable
Next, your goals need to be measurable. (See also: Meaningful.)
Saying you want to lose weight is all well and good, but how will you evaluate your progress? How will you know when you’ve achieved your goal? Saying you want to lose 20 lbs. is much better. Saying you want to lose 20 lbs. in four months is better still.
Achievable
Don’t set yourself up for failure. Choose goals that are actually attainable, and that will help you live a healthier life. Often, it makes the most sense to start with a small goal; upon achieving it, work toward the next goal.
Relevant
Your health and wellness goals should be relevant, which means realistic and reasonable.
Basically, this means thinking about why you want to achieve a certain goal. How will it improve your life? How will it contribute to your overall physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing?
Time-bound
Think about a timeframe for your goals. By what point do you hope to achieve them? Setting a specific timeline is important for holding yourself accountable.
Examples of SMART Health and Wellness Goals
When you bring these five principles together, you have SMART goals… but what exactly do SMART goals look like? Here are a couple of examples:
- I will eat four servings of vegetables and two servings of fruits every day for the next four weeks. I will do this by including plant foods with each meal, using them to replace processed foods. I will begin in five days’ time, after I have a chance to research some online recipes and head to the grocery store.
- I will meditate four days each week, for 15 minutes at a time, for the next three weeks. I will mark off my calendar for each day that I meditate, ensuring I get four per week. I will use free, guided meditations that I find on YouTube. I will bookmark the meditation practices I find to be especially valuable or useful.
Holding Yourself Accountable
Setting SMART goals is an important way to promote your physical and mental wellbeing. Beyond just setting goals, it’s also vital to hold yourself accountable to those goals. Here are some suggestions:
- Create reminders on your phone or your Google calendar to check-in with yourself every few days.
- Choose an accountability buddy. Share your SMART goals with them and ask them to check in on you regularly.
- Write down your reasons for wanting to accomplish certain goals. This can be a powerful motivator!
Consider CBD for Your SMART Goals
Finally, remember that CBD can be an invaluable addition to your SMART goal setting. Whether you’re looking to expedite muscle recovery or enhance your meditation sessions, CBD may offer you the boost you need.
As you seek the best CBD products, make sure you consider Asé Pure Naturals. We boast a full inventory of natural, holistic, vegan, cruelty-free, non-GMO CBD products, all made in the USA. Make time to explore our inventory, and reach out to our team with any questions about our variety of CBD oils.
