Setting SMART Goals for 2025, by Roxana Soetebeer MHP PHC
A Practical Guide to Achievable Success
As 2025 approaches, many of us are already thinking about New Year's resolutions or setting fresh goals. During a recent Zoom live with my dear friend and fellow PHD coach, Bekah, we discussed SMART goals—what they are, how they work, and why they're more effective than traditional resolutions. If you missed it in the PHD community, here's a recap to guide you toward clarity and purpose in the new year.
SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. These aren't just buzzwords—they're a framework to turn good intentions into tangible results. Instead of vague aspirations, SMART goals provide a structured plan to help you stay on track and make steady progress.
In our live session, we discussed how traditional resolutions like "get healthy" or "exercise more" often fall apart because they're too vague. Without a roadmap, how do you know when you've succeeded? Worse, how do you stay on track when life inevitably gets busy or complicated?
SMART goals work because they give you focus and direction. They break down big ideas into manageable steps and allow you to celebrate progress along the way.
Here's a quick recap of the SMART framework and how you can use it to set realistic goals for 2025:
Your goal should answer the what, why, and how. The clearer your goal, the easier it is to work toward it.
- Vague Goal: "I want to improve my health."
- SMART Goal: "I will reduce my sugar intake by eliminating desserts and sweetened beverages from my diet."
Add a metric. If you can measure it, you can track your progress and adjust as needed.
- Unmeasurable Goal: "I'll exercise more."
- SMART Goal: "I'll walk 7,000 steps at least five days a week."
Measurement doesn't have to be complicated. Simple metrics are often the most effective.
Ambition is great, but your goals should also be realistic. We talked about how overwhelming goals can derail your progress.
- Unrealistic Goal: "I'll go to the gym every day starting January 1."
- SMART Goal: "I'll go to the gym twice a week and do a 20-minute home workout on two additional days."
Achievable goals allow you to build momentum without feeling overwhelmed.
Your goal should align with your values and priorities. A goal that doesn't matter to you—or is based on someone else's expectations—is unlikely to stick.
- Irrelevant Goal: "I'll join a book club because my friend wants me to."
- SMART Goal: "I'll prioritize one hour a week for reading because I enjoy it and want to learn more about health and nutrition."
Relevance is key to staying motivated and consistent.
Setting a timeframe creates a sense of urgency and keeps you accountable. A goal without a timeline is just a wish.
- Open-Ended Goal: "I'll save money this year."
- SMART Goal: "I'll save $200 a month starting January, reaching $2,400 by December."
Timelines help you measure progress and provide natural checkpoints for reflection.
Here's an example of a vague goal transformed into a SMART goal:
- Vague Goal: "I want to eat healthier."
- SMART Goal: "By February 1, I will plan and prep at least four keto-friendly dinners per week, focusing on simple, whole-food recipes."
The difference is in the clarity. When you know exactly what you're working toward and how you'll get there, you're far more likely to succeed.
Life happens. Perfection isn't the goal, and setbacks are part of the journey. If you miss a step or fall off track, don't abandon your goals. Instead, use it as an opportunity to reassess and adjust. Progress is rarely linear, and that's okay.
Sometimes, perfection can even be the enemy of progress. Trying to do something perfectly can keep us from trying at all. Instead of striving for 100% all the time, try the 80/20 rule: put in your best effort to hit 100, but recognize that 80% is often good enough. This approach reminds us that we're human—and humans are wonderfully imperfect.
SMART goals aren't just about ticking boxes—they're about building a life that aligns with your priorities and values. Whether your focus is on health, finances, relationships, or personal growth, setting realistic and actionable goals will help you make steady, meaningful progress in 2025.
Let's carry the momentum from our live session into the new year. What SMART goals are you setting for 2025?
Here's to a focused, intentional, and rewarding year ahead.
Written by Roxana Soetebeer, MHP, PHC
Published December 28th, 2024
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