We all have our own ideas of success – perhaps climbing the career ladder, becoming fitter and healthier, or embracing new personal experiences – but there’s one thing we all have in common. We want to make the impossible possible.

​How can we do that? By setting workable goals to keep us focussed, every step of the way.

Experts in behavioural psychology say there’s an art to goal setting. Like George T. Doran, a city planning hotshot who made a name for himself by helping lacklustre managers get their projects off the ground. Doran pointed out that by using a specific technique, which he called S.M.A.R.T goal setting, we can create a practical structure for achieving things that aren’t easy to achieve.

The technique is invaluable for the Changing Health behavioural change coaches. We’ve found that it’s one of the best ways to help our clients lose weight, feel better and ultimately, transform their lives.

This is what S.M.A.R.T goal setting looks like:

  • SPECIFIC: target a specific area for improvement
  • MEASURABLE: quantify, or at least suggest, an indicator of progress
  • ACHIEVABLE: agreed and attainable
  • RELEVANT: reasonable, realistic and resourced, results based
  • TIME BOUND: time-based, time limited

Here’s an example: let’s say you want to lose weight. That’s great – but you could define your goal more clearly to boost your chances of success.

That means applying the S.M.A.R.T method:

  • SPECIFIC: “I want to lose weight so I can feel good in my favourite dress again”
  • MEASURABLE: “To fit into my dress I’ll need to lose around 3kg”
  • ACHIEVABLE: “If I can reduce my portion sizes, and cut-out sugary drinks, I can accomplish my goal”
  • RELEVANT: “I know I can do this. I lost some weight two years ago, so I know this is a realistic target”
  • TIME BOUND: “I’d like to wear my dress at the summer party on August 20th”

And suddenly, a vague ambition to “lose some weight” becomes a clearly structured goal with a timeline to make it happen. Showing off your lovely summer dress at the party just became five times more likely.

So remember: when you’re setting out your goals, think SMART!

Author Carl Lumsden is a Changing Health Behaviour Change Coach with a background in health and fitness.