IT’S a new year, and for many of us that means setting personal goals.
You might want to exercise more, reset your sleeping routine, cut down on booze or – if you’re like me – try to be tidier.
Many people set goals in January, but we rarely follow through with them. Why is that?
Instead of setting SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timebound), opt for open-ended goals.
SMART goals are specific: I will visit the gym after four nights a week, after work. It’s a good idea to challenge yourself, but the all-or-nothing attitude may be setting you up for failure. You either achieve your goal or you don’t, with little leeway in between.
On the other hand, open-ended goals are non-specific: I will exercise four times a week. You may ditch the gym workout for an evening walk or a morning swim – or allow yourself an afternoon of rest.
Studies comparing open-ended goals with SMART goals reveal that people are more motivated to work out, and commit to their exercise routines for longer periods.
Put simply, open-ended goals are about changing our mindset. Instead of imposing stressful deadlines and completion dates, approach them as an ongoing process.