SMART Goals

So you have selected a goal – you know what “stuff” you’re gonna “do.” My goal, for discussion here, is completing the Snowman Trek. When working with coaching and fitness clients I ask them to put their goal(s) into the SMART framework as a test of goal viability. SMART is a simple acronym. Here’s how I use it to work with clients:

S is for specific: If your goal is specific you can close your eyes and see what you are doing. In my case specific is trekking the Snowman trek in Bhutan with Cliff, on a chosen schedule because it supports my overall vision of myself as strong and fit person. Think of specific as the 5 Ws of goal setting: it should answer the “who, what, when, where and why.”

M is for measurable: Measurable goals can be quantified. I will trek a total of 216 miles (to include 6 mountain passes over 16,000 feet). Don’t just say you want to increase profit or lose weight – assign a measurable number, of say $1.5M or 40 lbs (how else will you know you’ve reached your goal?)

A is for action-based: Action-based is the doing part. The action takes the step from dreaming to doing. When a client expresses a desire to complete a project, we work with the action steps that lead to completion. Action or behaviors for achieving the Snowman Trek goal include scheduling travel, getting shots and immunizations and writing up our training plan.

R is for realistic: This is a tricky one because you want goals that are achievable – and require work/learning/growth to achieve. Don’t forget Locke’s finding that specific and challenging goals led more often to higher performance (blog, 12 Jul). When I decided I wanted to trek the Snowman, I wasn’t ready to go. I was reading an article about it in a National Geographic Adventure Magazine. But I thought that with planning and training, it was realistic to believe I could do it.

T is for time lined (or time bound): Always set a “suspense date” for yourself to achieve your goal. While you may need to adjust your time line, put a date out there with full intention of honoring it. And remember that old adage, “What gets scheduled gets done.” Write your goal on your calendar or put it on any smart device or application that helps you to stay organized. Our commitment of trip/travel payment solidified our timeline for Snowman.

So, How does your goal fare in the SMART goal framework?

Tomorrow: Performing your personal SWOT analysis.

Snowman Training Notes: Today was a climb endurance and sprint (or lactate tolerance) training day. Soles defines climb endurance as 1-4 hours hiking on a long, easy route. Our basic route is 6.5 miles (1:45) of local hiking that incorporates a couple of good training hills. On longer days we double the loop and perhaps double a hill or two within the loop.

Lactate tolerance is trained through intervals/fartleks in running/cycling/swimming – and this morning in hiking. The purpose of the lactate tolerance workout basically is to teach your muscles to keep working even when they are burning. Super stride sets up the hills gave us that burn.

Total workout time today (climb with intervals): 1:40.

Thought for the day:
“If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.”
~Lewis Carroll