SMART Goals

SMART Goals

A goal without a plan is just a wish - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

We love goals at Evive, and we constantly encourage our members to set them and achieve them.  

SMART Goals are a specific way of setting goals, and can be a powerful tool for enacting behavior change and achieving personal objectives in a structured and effective manner.

Today, we’re going to explore how SMART goals function, and teach you how to build your own.

SMART Goals

The acronym SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

By setting SMART goals, we can create clear and actionable plans, stay motivated, and track our progress, increasing the likelihood of successfully changing behaviors.

Let’s take a look at each component of a SMART goal:

Specific

Be clear and precise about what you want to achieve. Avoid vague or general statements. Identify the specific behavior you want to change or the outcome you desire.

Example: I’ll cut out social media and spend that time being more social.

Measurable

Set concrete criteria to measure your progress and success. Define how you will track your achievements and when you will know you have achieved the goal.

Example: I can track my hours on social media apps and track that I attend at least 1 social function each week.

Achievable

Ensure your goal is realistic and attainable. Consider your resources, skills, and limitations. Choose goals that challenge you but are within your reach.

Example: I’ll shut off the notifications, use a tracking app, and sign up for a volleyball league or book club with a weekly meeting.

Relevant

Align your goals with your values and aspirations in the context of your recovery from problem gambling. Make sure your goals are meaningful and significant to you.

Example: I spend too much time on social media, which hurts my chance for career advancement, having a social life, and affects my health.

Time-bound 

Set a specific timeframe or deadline for achieving your goal. This helps create a sense of urgency and motivation to stay on track.

Example:I’ll start next week and be entirely off social media by the end of the month.  I’ll stay off of social media for 60 days, and then assess.

Create Your Own SMART Goal

What is your specific goal?

How are you going to measure it?

How are you ensuring that it is achievable or realistic?

How does this goal align with your broader goals?

What is your deadline for achieving it?

Closing Thought

Great job!  We encourage you to set new goals for yourself, and track your progress in your Action Plan.

We also encourage you to share your goals with the Evive Community.  It’s a great way to hold yourself accountable, and inspire others to achieve success on their own journeys.