Okay so we’ve learned how to set a goal following the SMART principle, and maybe we’ve reached that goal (cue the confetti) or maybe we need to change some aspects of the goal to better fit our lives– there is no perfect goal, and expect to be making adjustments frequently.
What’s important about changing goals is that you first recognize what aspects of the goal might not have been working out for you. Being able to recognize what portion or portions of the SMART principle weren’t working for you will prevent you from having to start completely over.
For example, maybe the Timely section of your goal was too extreme and you need to reassess what a realistic timeline for your specific goal would actually look like. This goes back to being honest with yourself– you can’t force things to happen at a certain time if it just doesn’t work like that.
Keep in mind that changing your goal doesn’t mean that you were not successful or that your goal failed. Expand your perspective to see that perhaps many aspects of your goal did work and have helped you work towards the end goal that you set. Let’s say that your goal was to run a 5k in August without stopping and have your race time be about 40 minutes. To do this, you wanted to do a jog/walk combo with your dog for 30 minutes each day after work. Maybe you forgot to consider that you cook dinner for your family after work and so those evenings just didn’t work out. Let’s see what other routes you can take so you can still get that 30 minute walk/jog time in for that upcoming 5k:
- Switch that time to the morning before work
- Start smaller by changing it from 7 days per week to 3 (when this is doable and you have the time to implement more days, make that change!)
- Prep meals in advance to clear up extra time for your goal
Knocking your goals out is a delicate game of chess where you have to move around the pieces and constantly think ahead in order for them to be successful. That’s why ownership of your day is so important and honesty with yourself is essential.
Some other ways to ensure that your goals are crushable could be:
- Telling your family what you’re working towards so they can be supportive
- Including your children, spouse, or friends so you don’t have to do it alone
- Keeping track of your progress by using an app on your phone or a calendar
- Checking in with a coach or fitness professional
Your goals are supposed to work for you while you work on your goals. It’s a balancing act and a chess game all in one. But with the right tools, a good attitude, and unrelenting consistency you can make it all possible.
Are You Someone 40+ Looking to Get In Shape, Stronger, and Feel Great?
Our Program Has Helped Hundreds Of People 40+ Get In The Best Shape Of Their Lives With 2-3 Workouts Per Week!
https://www.firstcapitalgym.com/
Michael Allen
Author Bio
Michael has been working with clients in the gym and countless adults in a physical therapy setting since 2013. He spent 3 semesters working at Towson University with student-athletes from nearly every sport at the school. He served as the Strength and Conditioning Coordinator for Kennard-Dale High School during the 2019-2020 school year. His goal is to always get better and give you the safest and most effective use of your time at First Capital Gym.