Monday, December 26, 2005

Goals: assessing last year and setting next year

It's that time of year again!

Did you meet your goals for 2005? And what are your goals for 2006?

I see a lot of people who make vague goals - "do better" "do less" etc., that are difficult if not impossible to track accurately. I even saw one person making goals for other folks ("get X to start running with me"). Probably not a productive approach!

Remember to be SMART in your goal-setting!
S - specific, significant, stretching
M - measurable, meaningful, motivational
A - agreed upon, attainable, achievable, acceptable, action-oriented
R - realistic, relevant, reasonable, rewarding, results-oriented
T - time-based, timely, tangible, trackable

Then there are performance-based goals (eat 5 fruits and veggies per day) versus outcome-based goals (the number on the scale reading 10 pounds less). I think performance-based goals are MUCH MUCH more helpful to us in training! We can only take action upon those things within our own immediate, direct, personal control!

While the results are often the things that inspire us and motivate us (outcome goals), the day-to-day things that we do to accomplish it (performance or process goals) are usually the only aspects that are truly within our direct control.

I still need to find my exact goals for 2005, but I know I have them somewhere. I'll report back when I do!

2 comments:

Kewl Nitrox said...

Good plan, keeping it SMART is the way to do it. I actually prefer outcome based goals though, but I am always careful to set realistic (achieveable) ones. I've sort of done mine (and posted it in Nov), can't wait to hear yours!

Sixteen Chickens said...

Ok ok I am going to try to break down my long term goals into tiny bits and pieces. I probably cannot measure "being nicer to myself" but I'm sure I will be able to feel it in my mood if I am.