JS Tip 560: Making SMART Resolutions

We like SMART goals. We’ve talked about them often.  

It’s the end of the year. Time to make resolutions. To identify goals.  

Okay . . . how about “In 2020, I want to get smarter.”

Uh. 

No. 

Probably won’t work. 

Okay. How about “In 2020, I’ll read one book on philosophy every two months.” 

Wow. 

Better.

Much better. 

Why? 

It’s specific: Clear-cut. Defined.

It’s measurable: One book. Every two months. Numbers.  

It’s attainable: One book every two months? That may be too easy. But we’re talking philosophy here. 

It’s relevant: This is something you want to do. It’s personal.   

It’s time-based: Every two months. One book in January and February. One book in March and April . . . .  

Try it. SMART resolutions are better than “I want to get smarter” or “I want to get in shape” or “I want to make peace with Uncle Frank.”

Some Background: SMART goals first appeared in a 1981 Management Review article by George Duran: “There’s a SMART Way to Write Management’s Goals and Objectives.” A Google search for “SMART goals” gets 2.7 million hits (as of yesterday).  

Happy New Year. Have a good year. We appreciate you.