Small Steps to Success

Small Steps for Success: 

As you get started towards your goal, remember that change doesn’t happen overnight. If you want to run a marathon, you wouldn’t start by running 26.1 miles on day one. Your heart needs to be in it for you to put in the time, effort, and planning to make it a reality. It has to be a priority and you have to want to journey with the goal! One is not possible without the other.

Follow these 4 steps to help you consistently set and reach your weekly goals.

Step 1: Decide your goal! 

It starts with deciding what you really want to accomplish -

What do you want to work on? As you think about it, keep these in mind:

• What are you ready, willing, and able to work on this week?

• Why is this goal important to you?

• What benefits will you see? 

Pro Tip: Use positive language such as, “I will …”, “I choose to …”, or “I want to ...” 

The mindset - “NOTHING WILL STOP ME” 

Step 2: Make it SMART

As you decide your goal for the week, think about how to make it SMART:

S- Specific: What do you want to do?

• Be clear and keep it simple.

• Avoid using words like “more”, “less”, or “better”. Instead, think of specifics.

M- Measurable: What data will you use to track your progress or success?

• Think “how much?” or “how many?”

• How do you know if you reached your goal?

A- Attainable: Set goals that are doable.

• Ask, “Does this goal feel realistic?”

• What will help you feel confident?

R- Relevant: Set goals that connect with your vision and long-term goal.

• What impact will this goal have on your overall outlook?

• What goals are most important for you this week?

T- Timely: Decide a timeline and create urgency with your goals.

• When will you get started?

• When will you complete your goal?

How to make any goal SMART

Example 1- 

• Instead of: “I will try to eat better this week.”

• Say: “I will add a vegetable to my plate for dinner each night.”

There are hundreds of ways to eat “better” — ask yourself what “better” means to you and set that as your goal.

Example 2-

• Instead of: “I am going to run more.”

• Say: “I will run three days this week.”

The word “more” is subjective. Would you prefer to commit to less (one run a week) and be able to do more? Or commit to a lot (six days) and see what you can manage?

Example 3-

• Instead of: “I will eat less sugar this week.”

• Say: “I will budget 200 treat calories each day.”

In this case, when you shift away from saying “less” or “no” to a saying “yes” to a set amount, you may feel less deprived and more empowered.

Step 3: Create your action plan

How will you put your SMART goal into action?

Use these questions as a guide when you plan:

• How will you get started?

• What challenges might you face and how will you overcome them?

• What resources, strengths, and support will you use?

• How will you hold yourself accountable?

• What will motivate you to achieve this goal?

As you get started with your goal, note that you may need to adapt it throughout the week. You can’t always control how your week will go, but you can control your goal. Making even small changes will have a positive experience towards your goal! Mindset: NOTHING WILL STOP ME. 

Step 4: Reflect and share

Take time each week to look back on how your goals went.

Consider these questions as you reflect on your goal:

• What did you accomplish?

• How do you feel about this accomplishment?

• What did you learn from this goal?

• Did you feel ready?

• Did you feel supported?

• Did you feel challenged?

• Did you feel motivated/disciplined?

• Did you feel confident?

• How will you continue or modify your goal moving forward?