Many people come into the clinic wanting to achieve wellness goals. Goal setting is the third step of the planning phase. The first step is to understand the current situation, and the second is to understand the support structure available, past learnings from similar goals, and areas of sabotage by themselves or others.
Goal setting has been researched thoroughly, and research agrees that the best thing about goals is that they force you to plan. The benefits of goals are that they provide a pathway to the journey's end. They represent the essential steps in sequence to measure progress and success.
Research has shown that the best goals are SMART. Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely. In my Wellness Coaching sessions, we build these goals together by factoring in any strengths, weaknesses, and support systems that may improve or impede progress.
Specific – What do you want to achieve? Narrow this down as much as possible. I want to get fit isn't clear enough. Goals that are specific include I want to run every second day, or I want to study for a Diploma
Measurable
To be effective, the goal must have something that can be measured. For example, running every second day is a good goal – but what intensity, distance, and period of time?
Goals that are specific include I want to run 10km in 20 minutes, or I want to lose 10kg.
Attainable
Is your goal attainable?
Let's say you wish to lose 10kg in 10 weeks. For some, this is attainable, but for most, it will be a much longer process. What are the health implications, the social, and other impacts that may make this possible or difficult? This is the time to rethink your goal and ensure it is achievable.
Remember, stretch goals are good; these are slightly more challenging goals but ensure small achievable steps are built in.
Relevant
Do I truly desire this.
Often in Wellness Coaching sessions people say they want to lose weight, but when questioned further, it often turns out that they want to fit better into clothes; they want to be able to play with their children more easily. Ensure the goal is desired; this brings passion for succeeding.
Timely
When does the goal need to be achieved? A Diploma completion is often driven by Uni or College. A start date, however can be chosen by the participant. I like weekly goals, monthly goals, and three monthly goals. This way, we can break down the activities into smaller steps, interim goals, and the final goal.
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