This past week I had the opportunity to visit Aspen Elementary in Orem and talk to the kids about setting goals. This seemed to be very relevant seeing as so many people have New Year’s resolutions that were set just a few weeks ago
In my discussion with these children we talked about setting S.M.A.R.T. goals. For those of you who don’t know what those are let me fill you in:
S- Specific
M-Measurable
A-Achievable
R-Realistic
T-Timely
Hearing the great goals set by so many students got me thinking about some of the New Year’s resolutions I have set this year and in the past. The same resolutions that seem to be set by everybody, it’s always eat better, go to the gym, get “swim suit ready” , loose those extra holiday pounds, etc. all focusing on “fixing” our outward appearances.
I was almost embarrassed listening to the children’s goals of reading 100 new books by December, striving to make new friends each day, even saving 2,000 dollars this year for college. These young children had goals focusing on helping others, furthering their education and preparing for a brighter future. I couldn’t help but worry that like so many of us, in only a few short years, many of their goals would begin to focus more and more on how they look, weight and beauty, striving for that perfect look and perfect figure.
While each of the S.M.A.R.T. steps are important in setting successful goals, the one I want to stress is realistic, because I believe this one that is so often overlooked. Although living a healthy and active lifestyle is extremely important for so many reasons, it is too easy to confuse healthy with realistic. When we set unrealistic goals to begin with, it will only hurt ourselves when we fall sort of our expectations. Constantly striving to improve our selves isn’t necessarily a bad thing, however, we need to learn to take a step back, asses our definition of realistic, recognize sometimes we are doing the very best we can, and celebrate how far we have come!
How are you doing with your New Year’s resolutions and what are ways you keep your goals realistic?
In my discussion with these children we talked about setting S.M.A.R.T. goals. For those of you who don’t know what those are let me fill you in:
S- Specific
M-Measurable
A-Achievable
R-Realistic
T-Timely
Hearing the great goals set by so many students got me thinking about some of the New Year’s resolutions I have set this year and in the past. The same resolutions that seem to be set by everybody, it’s always eat better, go to the gym, get “swim suit ready” , loose those extra holiday pounds, etc. all focusing on “fixing” our outward appearances.
I was almost embarrassed listening to the children’s goals of reading 100 new books by December, striving to make new friends each day, even saving 2,000 dollars this year for college. These young children had goals focusing on helping others, furthering their education and preparing for a brighter future. I couldn’t help but worry that like so many of us, in only a few short years, many of their goals would begin to focus more and more on how they look, weight and beauty, striving for that perfect look and perfect figure.
While each of the S.M.A.R.T. steps are important in setting successful goals, the one I want to stress is realistic, because I believe this one that is so often overlooked. Although living a healthy and active lifestyle is extremely important for so many reasons, it is too easy to confuse healthy with realistic. When we set unrealistic goals to begin with, it will only hurt ourselves when we fall sort of our expectations. Constantly striving to improve our selves isn’t necessarily a bad thing, however, we need to learn to take a step back, asses our definition of realistic, recognize sometimes we are doing the very best we can, and celebrate how far we have come!
How are you doing with your New Year’s resolutions and what are ways you keep your goals realistic?