Be SMART

Everyone loves new beginnings. It’s finally time to make such-and-such change, or make this-and-that move. And what better time for a new beginning than a new decade?

New beginnings however can also be a burdensome time for some. Instead of feeling like a time of new possibilities, it can feel like pressure to achieve. Being achievement-oriented is a shared trait amongst many Asian Americans that can be a helpful if harnessed appropriately, but if left unchecked, that desire to achieve can become crippling or overwhelming.

This year, instead of focusing on what ‘should be achieved’, focus on what can be reasonably accomplished. And to do that, you need to be SMART about it -

S - Specific

M - Measurable

A - Attainable

R - Relevant

T - Time-Bound

SMART goals are geared toward movement. With the excitement of new beginnings, it’s very natural to set grand goals that sound great on paper, but feel so nebulous, it’s hard to figure out how to even approach it. SMART goals take that intimidating overall goal, and give you a starting point to lay down the train tracks to move toward that ultimate goal. Being SMART is the difference between ‘I will be healthier this year’ and ‘I will exercise three times a week for 30 minutes, and prepare healthy meals four days out of the week for the next month’. One is an idea, the other is an action step.

Of course, a new year or a new decade isn’t the only time we can set goals. You can set new goals for yourself every day, or even multiple times a day! But if you are one of the many Asian Americans planning on taking charge of 2020 with New Years Resolutions, make sure your goals are SMART to set yourself up for success. Don’t be so bound by what you ‘should achieve’ this year. This year, set your sights on what reasonable train tracks you can lay to promote your life.

What are some of your SMART goals for this upcoming year?