Goal setting shouldn’t just be for January, but with 2022 fast approaching it is likely that many people will be thinking about setting New Year goals… so how can you use them to boost your wellbeing?
Goal setting is a principle tool in reaching one’s full potential and encouraging positive wellbeing. A goal is defined as “the object of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result” – they are what help us to progress and focus on what is important in our lives.
The Importance of SMART Goals
Goals can be short or long-term, but to increase the likelihood of goals being achieved, they need to be SMART. SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. Therefore, a SMART goal incorporates all these criteria.
For more detailed information on how to set SMART goals, download our SMART Goal Setting Guide.
SMART Goal Setting and Wellbeing
When it comes to personal goal setting, we often set goals that are not SMART. This means we are less likely to achieve them and end up disappointed – which has a negative effect on our wellbeing. Whereas, SMART goals set you up for success and are associated with many benefits, all of which promote positive mental health and wellbeing.
10 Benefits of SMART Goal Setting
- Provides clearer direction and focus
- Increases accountability, motivation and commitment
- Aids prioritisation
- Provides a better understanding of expectations
- Aids productivity and efficiency
- Improves decision making
- Provides a sense of purpose, achievement and satisfaction
- Provides a measure of progress
- Ensures time and resources are used effectively
- Increases the likelihood of accomplishment
Research has shown that goal setting has a causal link to enhancing wellbeing and most importantly, such skills can be learnt.
So why not start today by downloading our SMART Goal Setting Worksheet.
Tips for Goal Setting Success
You don’t have to wait for January to start setting your goals. In fact, setting goals throughout the year is more likely to create sustained behaviour changes and lead to success. You should remember that effective goal setting takes practice, but here are some tips that can help you better achieve success when setting SMART goals:
- Long-term goals are great to keep the bigger picture in mind, but ensure you have smaller short-term goals to help you track progress and stay motivated.
- Focus on progress, not just the final outcome.
- Celebrate small wins.
- Share your goals with others to enhance accountability.
- Stay in your own lane. Set goals for yourself and do not compare yourself to others.
- Work on changing your behaviours.
- Write your goal(s) down and track progress. This enables you to review and evaluate what you do and do not accomplish and keeps you pushing forward.
- Prioritise one goal at a time, do not overwhelm yourself.
- Regularly assess possible risks and obstacles.
- Stay positive.
