Why should you review and revise your SMART goals regularly?

While working with clients, I use MI as a great to create discrepancies between what they want to do and what they are doing. This dissonance is useful in building motivation.

Motivation and Engagement: Regularly revisiting and refining goals can help maintain motivation. Adjusting goals based on achievements or challenges ensures that they remain challenging yet achievable.

The words "specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound" are abbreviated as "SMART" goals. The most operative SMART goals are those that function as stepping stones toward your final goal and are closely harmonized/aligned with your own and your organization's larger objectives. These objectives have to be simple to measure and encourage efficient time management so that you may manage your resources effectively.

Revisiting goals regularly has been key to my clients' success. One young client and I reviewed their goals bi-weekly, adjusting as needed. This flexibility allowed us to stay aligned with evolving circumstances, leading to more achievable and relevant outcomes. ????

Regular review and revision of SMART goals is essential to adapt to changing circumstances, track progress, align with priorities, maintain motivation, and drive continuous improvement.

By Encouraging Self-Monitoring: MI fosters self-awareness and reflection, supporting the creation of measurable indicators for tracking progress, in line with the “M” in SMART. By integrating motivational interviewing techniques, individuals can develop a stronger sense of commitment, self-efficacy, and readiness for change, contributing to the successful pursuit of SMART goals.

Asking open-ended questions that stimulate reflection and encourage change talk, facilitating a deeper understanding of your progress and challenges. For example, you might ask yourself, "How have I been progressing towards my goal?" This kind of question allows you to assess the specific steps you've taken and recognize your achievements. Further, questions like, "How do I feel about my goal now compared to when I started?" can offer insights into your motivation levels and the relevance of the goal to your current situation.

It allows you to track your progress and adjust your strategies as needed. This continuous monitoring ensures that your actions are effectively driving you towards your goal.

In my experience, the first set of SMART goals may be helpful in uncovering what the true SMART goals need to be. Revisiting and revising your SMART goals also allows you to practice flexibility and nonjudgement. As a therapist, I'm less concerned with if you accomplished the goal and much more interested in what barriers may have hindered your progress because that's where the core of the problem often lies. SMART goals can change as you change and grow - think of them as a living document rather than a contract.

For more short-term goals or goals that are critical to your immediate plans, you might want to review them even more frequently, such as weekly. This helps in maintaining momentum and quickly addressing any issues that arise. For long-term goals, apart from the monthly check-ins, it's beneficial to have a more comprehensive review every three to six months. This allows you to assess significant progress, re-evaluate the relevance of the goal, and make major adjustments if your circumstances or priorities have changed.

SMART goals are all about meeting yourself where you are. This means that it is just as important to track your progress with your goals as it is to maintain insight into your mental, physical, and emotional capacities. Remembering that these goals should be achievable, our current levels of functionality are important to consider. Allowing yourself the flexibility to adapt your goal-driven actions to your current health status will not only maximize goal progress but also motivation and feelings of fulfillment.

Everyone is unique. Here are some ideas to try out: Set Calendar Reminders: Use digital reminders for regular goal reviews, such as weekly or monthly. Establish a Review Ritual: Create a consistent routine, like a quiet coffee break, dedicated to goal reflection. Keep Goals Visible: Place them in frequently seen spots, like a workspace board or a planner. Regular Progress Notes: Continuously jot down progress or obstacles, simplifying the review process. Link with Daily Habits: Tie your goal review to an existing daily or weekly routine. Understand the Benefits: Regularly remind yourself of the importance of this habit for motivation. Seek Accountability: Share your goal with a friend or Coach for mutual encouragement.

Adapt to Changes. Life is dynamic, and regular revision allows you to adjust your goals in response to changing circumstances, ensuring they remain relevant and achievable! "Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle." – Christian D. Larson