Write a SMART goal

Here are some things to consider when writing your SMART goal. Make sure your goal is SMART:

• Specific: Is the goal linked to one activity or one thought?

• Measurable: Can I plot my progress on a graph? Can I say how much I’ve improved from the previous day or week?

• Actionable: What task or action will I be doing? Can I draw a picture of someone doing that action?

• Realistic: Are there examples of people who have achieved this level of success in this amount of time? What are some obstacles I might face along the way? Would any of those obstacles stop me in my tracks?

• Timely: Did I include a set time period in which I want to achieve my goal? Days? Weeks? Months?

Write your goal down one more time.

Why do you want to achieve this goal?

I want to achieve my goal because __.

Increasing our chances.

We all encounter frustrations while trying to achieve our goals, but we can do a few things to increase our chances of success.

Take the SMART goal you wrote and follow the steps below:

Step 1: Visualize victory. Picturing what it will look like when you are successful often gives you more motivation to work toward your goal.

Draw a picture of success or write something you will say when you reach your goal.

If I achieve my goal, I will feel __.

Step 2: Name the obstacles. If you can name the obstacles, you can prepare for them. Even if there are unexpected obstacles that appear, you can start to develop a mindset that makes you feel strong in the face of these obstacles.

Examples include distractions such as video games, your cell phone, and social media.

Don't forget to call out your fixed mindset voice when you make a mistake or get frustrated.

I want to achieve my goal, but I know I will have to be strong when __.

I want to achieve my goal, but I know __ will get in the way.

Step 3: Make a plan to conquer the obstacles. Draw out a chart with titles: “People I can talk to” and “Actions I can do to stay on track”. It also might be helpful to let the people on your list know that you may be turning to them for help reaching your goal, so they can support you and keep you accountable.

Examples include limiting—or eliminating!—time spent on the distractions you identified.

Include things you will say to yourself when

• your fixed mindset voice appears,

• you make a mistake, or

• you get frustrated.

To conquer the obstacle, I will __.