Setting goals
You can set different types of targets. For example, goals aimed at the result, such as winning a competition or losing 6 kilos of body weight.
However, you can also set a goal for performing certain actions, such as doing a certain exercise every day, planning time for your hobby or preparing a meal. This is called a process goal.
Most people are used to setting result goals, but process goals turn out to be much more effective. Process goals are entirely up to you. You are often dependent on external factors in order to achieve your results.
Long and short-term goals
It is most effective to split your long-term goal(s) into short-term goals with deadlines. The interim results give you new energy each time, so that you will achieve your long-term goal step by step. One long-term goal without short-term goals often has a small chance of success.
SMART goals
If you have set a goal, it is good to formulate it in such a way that you can really do something with it. Then you can formulate a SMART objective. A SMART objective gives direction: it indicates what you want to achieve and guides your behaviour. In addition, it indicates what results need to be achieved and when. By formulating a SMART objective, there is a greater chance that something will actually be achieved in practice.
SMART stands for:
- Specific: describe your objective clearly and concretely, with a specific action or behaviour. It should describe an observable action, behaviour or result to which a number, amount, percentage or other quantitative data is linked.
- Measurable: the goal must be measurable. Only then do you know whether you have achieved the goal. There must be a system, method and procedure to determine to what extent the goal has been achieved at any given moment.
- Acceptable: is the goal responsible and acceptable for yourself (and for others)? The goal must invite action, release energy and be positively formulated. There must be an action plan. But make sure that a SMART goal prescribes a certain result.
- Realistic: is the goal realistic? Well achievable goals motivate to action. A challenge is good, but it should not be impossible. An achievable and meaningful goal releases energy and enthusiasm.
- Time-bound: when do we start the activities? When will we be ready? When has the goal been achieved? A SMART objective has a clear start and end date.
Author: Nina de Rooij, PSV lifestyle coach