Article written by Brandi Jordan.

According to some studies, many people’s New Year’s resolutions are not successful. In fact, research has shown that only about 8% of people who make New Year’s resolutions are able to achieve them. There are a number of reasons why people might struggle to achieve their resolutions. For example, they may set unrealistic goals for themselves, or they may not have a clear plan for how to achieve their goals. Additionally, people may struggle to stay motivated and committed to their resolutions over time.

That being said, it is still possible to achieve your New Year’s resolutions! One way to increase your chances of success is to set SMART goals for yourself. By making your goals specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound, you can increase your chances of achieving them. Additionally, it can be helpful to break your goals down into smaller, more manageable tasks and to track your progress along the way. This can help you stay motivated and on track to achieving your goals.

What are SMART Goals & Why are they Important?

SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. SMART goals are specific and defined, making them easier to track and measure progress. They are also achievable, meaning they are realistic and attainable. Additionally, they are relevant to the overall goals of the organization or individual, and they have a specific time frame for completion.

SMART goals are important because they help people set clear and achievable targets for themselves. By setting SMART goals, individuals and organizations can increase their chances of success and stay motivated and focused on their objectives. SMART goals also help people track their progress and make adjustments as needed to stay on track.

Here are a few examples of SMART goals:

  1. Specific: “I want to increase my sales by 20% within the next quarter.”
  2. Measurable: “I will exercise for at least 30 minutes three times per week.”
  3. Achievable: “I will save $500 per month to pay off my credit card debt in 18 months.”
  4. Relevant: “I will improve my public speaking skills by joining a local toastmasters group and giving at least one speech per month.”
  5. Time-bound: “I will develop a new product line within the next six months by conducting market research and collaborating with my team.”

Here are a few tips for staying motivated when working on difficult goals:

  1. Break your goal down into smaller, more manageable tasks. This can make the goal feel more achievable and help you make progress more quickly.
  2. Find an accountability partner. Having someone to check in with and report your progress to can help you stay on track.
  3. Reward yourself for progress. Celebrate small wins along the way to keep yourself motivated and engaged.
  4. Stay positive and focused. Don’t get discouraged by setbacks or challenges. Instead, stay positive and focused on your long-term goal.
  5. Find inspiration and support. Look for people or resources that can inspire and support you in your efforts. This could be a coach, mentor, or a supportive community of like-minded individuals.
  6. Be patient and persistent. Change takes time, and it’s important to be patient and persistent in the face of challenges. Remember that progress, not perfection, is the goal.

If you need some help getting started with your goal-setting journey or accountability throughout the year, then this FREE NOTION TEMPLATE from Atul Anand is for you! If you don’t have a Notion account yet, no worries, sign up for a personal (free forever) account here. I promise you, Notion will change your life and you will wonder how you ever functioned before you found it.

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