Learning Commons Blog: New Year's Resolutions Never Work? Try Setting S.M.A.R.T Goals Instead

We are a little over a month into the new year now, and I’m sure many of us were looking forward to new possibilities in 2021. One of the ways numerous people focus on hopes for the new year is by setting resolutions, but how often do we really hold ourselves accountable to them? According to Forbes, “Studies have shown that approximately 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail.”

Why is this?

There could be a wide variety of reasons people struggle with following through on a resolution. Maybe they created a broad goal that is too overwhelming to tackle at the moment. Maybe stressors in their life prevented them from working toward their resolutions because life is completely unpredictable. The list could go on.

But how can you focus on setting more achievable goals for this semester?

Instead of stressing yourself out with an overwhelming resolution for the new year, try setting some S.M.A.R.T goals for yourself this semester. S.M.A.R.T is an acronym standing for specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound. For an example, let’s say you want to do better in your classes this semester. We can work through making that a S.M.A.R.T goal. It’s not very specific, so let's start there.

How can we make that goal more specific?

Think about the five popular “w” questions in relation to your goal.

Who: Contemplate who should be involved to help you achieve the goal. Maybe you could attend your professor’s office hours which could play a part in doing better in your classes.
What: Consider exactly what you want to achieve; think about what “better” means to you.
When: This will be considered more during the “time-bound” section, but start thinking of things you could do each day or each week to help you do better rather than a semester long, general goal.
Where: This may not always apply to your goals, but with this example, consider places you could study that achieves a good atmosphere for you.
Why: What’s the reason you want to achieve your goal. Finding personal, internal motivation can help you stay focused.

How can we make the goal measurable?

You want to consider how you will measure your progress. For this example, maybe you could take it week by week. Ask yourself, did I turn in all my assignments this week? Focusing on smaller milestones you set for yourself that help you work towards your larger goal can be a big help.

How can we ensure the goal is achievable?

This is where you can consider how you will go about realizing your goal, and contemplate whether your goal is truly attainable in the time period you set for yourself. For this example, doing better in your classes is definitely achievable, but you may need to develop new study habits, improve time management skills, or reach out for academic support when needed.

Is this goal realistic?

A S.M.A.R.T goal should be realistic in the sense that it can be achieved given the time and resources available to you. Ask yourself: do I have the resources I need to achieve my goal? Do I need more help? For this example, consider filling out the Request for Academic Support (RAS) form found in the student tab of my.coe.edu if you feel the need for more academic support and resources. At this point, you could also reflect on whether your goal is practical and relevant to you.

How do we make the goal time-bound?

Setting goals without any time limit involved may lead to falling off track. Ask yourself: what can I do today or this week to help me achieve my goal? Maybe you can set aside a specific time in your schedule each day to study, or you can set some deadlines for yourself outlining when you want assignments done each week. Overall, breaking down a broad goal into smaller, achievable parts can help you work towards that larger goal. Check out the S.M.A.R.T goals worksheet below and consider using it the next time you create a goal for yourself whether it’s something small for the week or something for the whole semester.