What I learned from a year of goal setting

This year I tried something new for me – I set goals every month.  This was the first time I’ve really put a lot of thought into setting goals and then putting them out there on the internet for everyone to read!

I found the process really interesting!  Initially my goals were about getting motivated to do all of the workouts my coach was giving me and I know core work made several appearances month after month. 

We talk a lot about setting SMART goals at work, but our goals in sport ought to be SMART goals too.  What exactly are SMART goals?

• My success in reaching my goals had a lot to do with whether they were SMART or not.  For example saying I want to do core three times per week is much better than just saying I want to do more core work.  
• I was able to make great changes in how we ate by first setting a goal to cut back how much we were eating dinner out, then later to make sure that I was bringing lunches to work.  It was a process but I feel like I’ve got a good handle on meal planning for our weeks now.  
• By splitting my ultimate goal up into little chunks it didn’t feel like I was making an overwhelming and unsustainable change.  That is where keeping your goals attainable comes in to play.  Then keep building on your goals and successes!
• I found it really useful to do a recap at the end of the month to report back on how I did, even if it really was more for me than for anyone reading my posts.  Having to check back in on success or failure was a great motivating factor.
• Share your goals with your family so they can support you.  Neil was a big part of my goals and knew what I was working for.  He has been very supportive and on a day where I might have been floundering he’s reminded me that this goal was important to me.  
• I also shared my goals with my coach and I’d often do mini check ins, say every week.  In the beginning when I was trying to build habits this was really useful!  My husband and my coach are a big part of my support system.  Thank you Neil and Angie!!

Ultimately my goals were all centred around creating healthy habits…revamping how we were eating, taking training seriously and figuring out how to create a work-life-training balance to help carry me forward as my training volume will increase.

I found a lot of use out of setting monthly goals and I really want to keep building on that next year.  I definitely felt like I saw a lot of success from it!

Tell me about your goal setting habits.  What works for you?