SMART Goals: The Health Coaching Cheat Code

Every year, people strive to make positive changes in their lives. These changes range from improving their health and wellness, increasing positivity, or minimizing their stress. However, without clear direction and focus, these goals can often feel overwhelming and unattainable, leading many to give up.

Turning broad goals into SMART goals is key, and health coaches lean into SMART Goals to ensure that objectives are attainable. This method provides a framework to help set Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound objectives, which increases the likelihood of success and sustainability.

The most significant advantage of SMART goals is the clarity and focus they provide. Setting specific health goals eliminates any ambiguity, and allows clients to direct their energy towards achieving them. What’s more, setting incremental SMART goals can help keep up motivation by celebrating small successes along the way.

What are SMART goals? How can health coaches encourage and guide clients through this framework? What are the benefits of using them? Here is a helpful resource for health coaches and clients explaining the basics of SMART goals.

What are SMART Goals

In 1981, George Doran, Arthur Miller, and James Cunningham published an article explaining their new method to “write management goals and objectives.” This was the beginning of SMART and defined each part of the acronym.

Specific – Each goal should “target a specific area for improvement.”
Measurable – There needs to be a quantifiable outcome or indicator that can track progress toward reaching the goal.
Achievable¹ – Goals should be realistic and attainable without being overly challenging. Unachievable goals within an allotted timeline can lead to frustration and resistance.
Relevant¹ – Goals should align with the overall changes clients want to make. Each goal should be one step further along the journey.
Time-bound – To create a sense of urgency, each goal needs a specific and achievable time frame. Don’t try to rush a change, but don’t let it linger too long.

Example of a SMART Goal

A health coaching client asks for guidance in creating a SMART Goal for increasing mindfulness in their daily life. Here is what that might look like.

SMART Goal: Enhancing Mindfulness in Daily Life

Specific: I will practice mindfulness by incorporating a daily 10-minute meditation session into my morning routine. This will involve finding a quiet space, using guided meditation apps, and focusing on my breath and present sensations.
Measurable: I will track my progress by maintaining a mindfulness journal. Each day, I will note the duration of my meditation session, any challenges faced, and the overall sense of calm or presence I experience. This will provide a measurable record of my commitment to mindfulness.
Achievable: Given my current schedule, committing to a 10-minute meditation session each morning is realistic. I will set a consistent time for this practice, adjusting it as needed to accommodate changes in my routine.
Relevant: Enhancing mindfulness aligns with my broader goal of reducing stress and improving overall well-being. Being more present in daily activities will contribute to a more balanced and fulfilling life.
Time-bound: I will implement this goal over the next 30 days. By the end of this period, I aim to make mindfulness a habit, experiencing increased awareness and a greater sense of calm in my daily life.
End Goal: I want to cultivate mindfulness to better manage stress, improve focus, and foster a deeper connection with the present moment. By making this a daily practice, I believe I can enhance my overall mental and emotional well-being.

By following the SMART criteria, this goal provides a clear roadmap for incorporating mindfulness into daily life. It aligns with the client’s overall goals, is achievable, and, most importantly, allows for ongoing evaluation and adjustment.

Health Coaches and SMART Goals

Health coaches play a vital role in guiding and encouraging clients to set and achieve their health and wellness goals. By aiding clients in navigating the SMART Goals framework coaches foster a supportive relationship that promotes sustainable health and wellness outcomes. Here are some strategies for health coaches when using the SMART framework.

Educate on SMART Goals:

Provide a clear explanation of what SMART goals are: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Share the benefits of using this framework, emphasizing how it increases the likelihood of success.

Collaborative Goal Setting:

Engage clients in a collaborative goal-setting process. Allow them to express their aspirations, and then work together to transform these into SMART goals. Encourage clients to be specific about what they want to achieve, ensuring that goals are realistic and aligned with their overall health objectives.

Clarify the “Why” Behind Goals:

Help clients articulate the reasons behind their goals. Understanding the motivations enhances commitment and can serve as a powerful driving force. Discuss the personal relevance of each goal and how it contributes to their overall well-being.

Break Down Goals into Smaller Steps:

Assist clients in breaking down large goals into smaller, manageable steps. This approach makes the process less overwhelming and allows for steady progress. Discuss the importance of setting short-term milestones to track achievements along the way.

Create Measurable Metrics and Encourage Accountability:

Work with clients to establish measurable metrics for tracking progress, such as keeping a journal, using health apps, or having regular check-ins with the health coach. Emphasize the importance of regular assessments to make adjustments, monitor changes, and get support when needed.

Tailor Goals and Address Barriers:

Tailor goals to their circumstances, preferences, and capabilities. Help clients anticipate potential obstacles and develop strategies to overcome them. Consider factors like lifestyle, preferences, and any health conditions that may impact goal-setting and achievement.

Celebrate Achievements:

Celebrate small victories and achievements along the way. Positive reinforcement boosts motivation and encourages clients to stay committed to their goals.

Benefits of SMART Goals

SMART goals offer numerous benefits that can positively impact personal and professional endeavors. Firstly, SMART goals provide specific and measurable objectives, eliminating any confusion or uncertainty. This allows individuals to direct their energy towards achieving their goals.

Another advantage of SMART goals is the accountability they promote. Clients can evaluate their performance to identify areas for improvement or adjustments. What’s more, SMART goals encourage individuals to align their objectives with their values and priorities, ensuring that their pursuit of goals is meaningful and personally significant. Clients remain motivated as they understand the reasons behind each goal.

Lastly, the SMART framework encourages a systematic problem-solving approach when individuals encounter challenges or obstacles. By identifying specific issues and developing targeted solutions, individuals can overcome barriers, further ensuring their progress towards their goals.

Ultimately, the combination of specificity, measurability, achievability, relevance, and time-bound aspects of SMART goals results in long-term success. Health coaches can look to this method as a guide to helping their clients reach their health and wellness goals. Clients will sustain their efforts and achieve lasting results.

*In the original article by George T. Doran, “There’s a S.M.A.R.T way to write management’s goals and objectives,” A stood for “Assignable” and R stood for “Realistic.” These terms have changed as the framework has been adapted to be used for goals outside of management settings.

In the original article by George T. Doran, “There’s a S.M.A.R.T way to write management’s goals and objectives,” A stood for “Assignable” and R stood for “Realistic.” These terms have changed as the framework has been adapted to be used for goals outside of management settings. ↩︎
In the original article by George T. Doran, “There’s a S.M.A.R.T way to write management’s goals and objectives,” A stood for “Assignable” and R stood for “Realistic.” These terms have changed as the framework has been adapted to be used for goals outside of management settings. ↩︎