This Year, Skip the Resolutions. Set SMART Goals Instead.
Every January starts the same way. We turn the page, take a deep breath, and declare: This is the year.
We vow to exercise more, save more, stress less, be better.
And then… life shows up.
There’s a reason New Year’s resolutions have such a short shelf life. Research consistently shows that most resolutions fade by February. Not because people lack motivation or discipline, but because resolutions are vague. “Lose weight” doesn’t survive carpool, deadlines, aging parents, and a calendar that fills itself.
Goals, on the other hand, can.
That’s why I love to use SMART goals . They aren’t about perfection or reinvention. They’re about clarity, intention, and momentum.
SMART stands for:
Specific – clearly defined, not fuzzy
Measurable – you can tell if it’s working
Achievable – realistic for your actual life
Relevant – aligned with what truly matters to you
Time-bound – anchored to a timeframe, not “someday”
Instead of trying to overhaul everything at once, I encourage starting the year with just three goals:
one personal
one business or work-related
one self-development goal
Three is manageable. Three creates progress without burnout. And as we all know 3 is the magic number!
Let me introduce you to my client Sara she’s 48, married, works full-time, and has three kids, one in college, one in high school, one in middle school. Her life is full, noisy, meaningful, and already demanding.
Here’s how Sarah used SMART goals last year to start her year with intention instead of pressure.
Personal Goal
“I will walk for 30 minutes, three mornings a week, before work, through the end of March.”
This goal is specific and realistic. It didn’t require a gym membership or a total lifestyle shift. It was about consistency, not intensity, and it gave her energy before her day took over.
Business / Work Goal
“I will contribute 10% of my paycheck to my 401(k) by increasing my contribution 1% every quarter this year.”
This goal was measurable and time bound. It fit her cash flow and respected the idea that financial progress doesn’t have to be dramatic to be powerful. Small adjustments, compounded over time, create real security.
Self-Development Goal
“I will read one personal-growth or mindset book per quarter and write down one takeaway I can apply to my life or career.”
This goal fed her growth without overwhelming her. It wasn’t about adding more to her plate—it was about sharpening how she showed up in the life she already had.
Sarah crushed each one of these goals and even went on to create a new personal goal every quarter. None of these goals require a new identity. They simply supported the woman she already was and the future she’s building. I can’t wait to hear what her SMART goals are for this year!
That’s the heart of SMART goals. They don’t demand a new version of you. They honor the current one.
As you step into this new year, consider letting go of resolutions that quietly set you up to feel behind. Choose goals that feel grounded, kind, and doable. Progress sticks when it fits your life.
A good year isn’t built on grand declarations, it’s built on clear, compassionate decisions made one step at a time. Here’s to your best year yet!!