ontheedgeofeverything

I would argue most people are somewhat torn regarding New Years resolutions. For some of us, creating goals to achieve or abide by in time for the new year is a means to embark on a fresh start, and begin the new year in an efficient manner. For others, New Years resolutions are perceived as insignificant, or irrelevant, and despite what might warrant someone to think this way, there’s a handy little acronym to use if you’re hoping to stick with your resolutions this year.

The S.M.A.R.T. acronym is one that can be applied to a variety of contexts and realms, but for the purpose of this post, we’ll apply it to the concept of New Years resolutions. If you’re unfamiliar with this acronym, it’s a great tool to make use of when you’re setting goals of any sort because it makes it a little easier to stay on track.

Let’s break it down, shall we?

S.M.A.R.T. stands for Smart, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. Depending on how it’s used, the terminology can vary a wee bit, but the wording stated above pretty well communicates the intent behind the acronym. I first heard this acronym when I was studying public relations, but I’ve come across it several times since then.

Now that we know what it stands for, it’s apparent why this acronym can come in handy when determining New Years resolutions. It’s a great means to plan goals accordingly without setting ourselves up for failure, plus it can be used far beyond our goals for the new year. It’s a great tool to make use of, and I would imagine it’s a method that can be used to break the cycle of failed resolutions in the long run, too. Making resolutions in a smart, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely manner can diminish the chances of disappointment to develop, allowing us to stay on track in the process.