For many, the new year brings the tradition of making resolutions…followed a few weeks later by the tradition of breaking them. Most resolutions made at the beginning of January are broken by the end of the month. The most common reason is that our resolutions are too vague.

In a 1981 issue of Management Review magazine, George T. Doran wrote that the best resolutions are specific. Doran, an executive at a utility company, devised the mnemonic S.M.A.R.T. to remind us that resolutions should be specific, measurable, assignable, realistic, and time bound.

Doran applied his acronym to the business world, but it also works for personal health goals. The Mayo Clinic notes the importance of planning your resolutions and using the SMART system for success.

Specific

Many resolutions deal with weight and diet. It’s easy to adopt a general goal of “losing weight” or “eating healthy,” but a vague goal is easy to break. Setting specific goals for your diet such as eating a piece of fruit every day, or drinking water instead of soft drinks, are easier to maintain.

Measurable

Dedicating yourself to exercising more or smoking less presents these goals in a way that can’t be measured. What exactly is more or less? Measurable goals make cheating more difficult. Either you walked  a number of steps each day or you didn’t. Setting measurable goals enables you to clearly determine if you are reaching them.

Attainable

Be realistic about the goals you’re setting. Reaching beyond your grasp will only lead to disappointment, while achievable goals will instill a sense of accomplishment and encourage the adoption of more ambitious goals.

Realistic

Assess any obstacles standing between you and your goals, especially those factors that are beyond your direct control. Understanding limitations and constraints will help focus your goals into the realm of the achievable.

Trackable

In some variations on the SMART mnemonic, the “T” stands for “timely,” but the idea is the same: to measure goals over time. By tracking your performance, you can quickly gauge your success and identify any factors impacting your progress.

Welcome to 2025. The year is young and there is plenty of time to achieve success in your resolutions. Kinwell is here to help. Set up an appointment at one of our 16 clinics or online by visiting our appointments page or by calling 833-411-5469. By choosing specific goals, you stand a better chance of keeping them. Good luck and happy new year.

 

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or professional services.