Setting a reasonable goal will set you up for success! It helps to clarify the issue. Let’s discuss how to break bad habits by writing SMART goals.
1. Specific
What’s the exact habit you want to stop or reduce. Be clear.
Instead of saying, “I want to eat less salty foods,” say, “I want to stop buying burgers and fries from fast food restaurants on my way home from work.”
Let’s see how we can use each piece of SMART goals to break down your goals to break bad habits.
2. Measurable
Now you need to add a number, or a percentage for change.
“I will reduce my fast food consumption to once a week.”
3. Achievable/Attainable
You will be setting difficult goals for yourself. If they were that easy, you would already be doing them.
It’s important to have a goal you can see yourself meeting.
4. Realistic/Relevant
Let’s say your goal is to not get fast food even once on the way home next week. This is achievable, but realistically, what it takes to get there might not be.
You would have to plan and prep for 5 alternative meals. Are you prepared to do all that by next week?
Going through the steps to make sure it’s a SMART goal, may even make you reconsider if your goal is specific enough.
Or, relevant, would be, “I plan to eat less fast food, and more healthy foods, so I can reduce my cholesterol, feel better, and spend quality time cooking and eating with my family.”
5. Time-bound/Time-related
This sets a time when you plan/expect to achieve your goal.
“I will reduce my fast food dinners to once a week 2 months from now.”
Or, “I will replace 4 of my previous fast food meals with healthy meals at home by going to the grocery store on Sundays and meal prepping for the week. I plan to become consistent with this 2 months from now.”
Set it, but don’t forget it!
The SMART goals framework can get you started to break your bad habits.
Get in touch with our wellness coaches if you would like assistance setting up a plan to meet your goals.
References: https://asana.com/resources/smart-goals
https://arcmonroe.org/goal-setting-foundations/?msclkid=76de0385d8c81333fdb765def0804871
https://www.projectsmart.co.uk/smart-goals/brief-history-of-smart-goals.php
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/smart-goals/