A common framework for goal setting is the SMART goal. Each letter in the acronym represents a component of a good goal.

Specific: A goal should help you focus on something specific. Instead of setting a goal for “get involved” you can break it down into components. This is an opportunity to focus on more than resolving to “get active in the Community”. Look at your total wellbeing and pick something specific that would make you happy. Perhaps a goal to help plant a community garden? Learn about real food with real people! A specific goal can become a mastered behavior with practice!

Measurable: Once you have a specific goal you can establish a way to measure it. The measure should be easy to use; otherwise, you won’t use it. Following the earlier goal to plant a garden, establish how often you want to tend it. Don’t pick something beyond your control like “20 pounds of carrots”. Find something that contributes to success and measure that like “weed and water with at least 2 other people 5 times per week”.

Achievable: New Year’s Resolutions are notoriously difficult to keep. One of the top reasons is that they are so distant that we give up. Make your goals achievable so that they stretch you but not break you. If you are just starting to become active in the Community, don’t pick “Get elected president of the Chamber” as your first goal. Start with simply getting involved.

Relevant: Your goals should be relevant to everything else in your wellbeing. It makes no sense to sacrifice your overall wellbeing for a single Community goal. You are a total person and your goals should support you… Mind, Body, and Spirit.

Timely: Put a time frame around your goals to which you can commit daily. A goal that is months or years into the future is more like a wish. Set your exercise goals for something you will do daily or at least weekly.