All Aboard the S.M.A.R.T Goal Train!
Every New Year, like clockwork, pros in the health and fitness industry start talking about SMART Goals. Personal trainers, nutritionists, fitness specialists, dieticians, coaches all have something to say about the topic. And they all sound the same. But before I go further, I want you to know that I am actually a fan of SMART goals. The strategy works, in my professional opinion, when it comes to developing and maintaining successful health and fitness routines. The SMART strategy has helped me empower my clients, and teach them the value of intelligently investing in health and fitness.
That being said, 2021, and the Covid-19 pandemic is still around. The conservative government of the province of Ontario declared another state of emergency. And as of January 14, 2021, we are on a 28 day lockdown. As such, many things have to change. Grocery shopping, family gathering, work, and of course exercise and physical activity.
My partner, who is a psychiatric social worker and a therapist, specializing in mental health and addictions, and sexual health, has shared some scary facts. The fact that people have trouble accessing mental health resources. That people are suffering more mental illness as a result of dealing with Covid-19 either directly and indirectly. The fact that cases of domestic violence and abuse have risen dramatically. The fact is, we are all struggling, physically, mentally, financially, and emotionally. Some much more than others of course.
So I began asking myself “Is this the right time to be shoving the SMART strategy and its implications at people?”
Where It Starts
Typically, they begin by asking a rhetorical “Are you setting SMART Goals?”. Then they follow with an explanation of the acronym SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound). Though, I should note, there is some disagreement about what the “R” means (Realistic, Relevant, Reasonable…). The question and the explanation that follows are set up to make people reflect about their New Year’s Resolutions. See my previous post if you want my thoughts on NY Resolutions.
Honestly speaking, the chances that the average person’s goals are anything but SMART. If you really want to get everything out of the smart strategy, you have to make sure you hit the criteria for each letter. And in my experience, when it comes to health and fitness goals, the average person is wearing a blindfold, walking through fog, swinging a stick and hoping to hit something. Now that can be well and fun on it’s own. But people usually have something ideal in their minds, that they struggle to verbalize into outer reality.
So you read the explanation for SMART goals, and you realize yours are anything but that. You may feel a sense of shame, maybe some guilt, a blow to the ego, then MAYBE a renewed sense of commitment. And this renewed sense of commitment is born out of realizing the possibility of making your inner reality into the external world. That is, taking your thoughts and dreams about what you would like to achieve, health and fitness wise, and making them real.
Where It Goes
Many fitness specialists and personal trainers use the SMART strategy as selling point. And why shouldn’t we?! It’s a great tool for helping clients get the most out of their investment. It makes sure that every resource the client has, including time, money, effort, motivation etc. doesn’t go to waste. And people are much more likely to invest or buy into something tangible, but also when it’s coming from a professional with a good plan. Here’s your goal, here are the steps you need to take to achieve it.
But even if it doesn’t lead to a direct sale, the SMART strategy is a great tool for people to learn and apply. It’s a little know fact, but the SMART strategy was developed in the 80’s by George T. Doran, to help companies create and achieve more meaningful goals. Doran wrote an article in the November 1981 issue of Management Review that many companies lack focus with regard to goal setting. Little did he know that this strategy would be applied in other areas of life.
Back to my point. The person can then take what they’ve learned, and follow up to learn more about developing and implementing better strategies to achieve their goals. This takes time, energy, and resources. In short, it takes work. And it is exactly why health and fitness specialists charge a fee for consults and program design. I’m not saying that the average person can’t do it on their own, but that it takes effort.
Where It Stops
In my experience, only a small number of people are able to follow through with their goals, even with the help of a health and fitness professional. I’ve seen many cases, both mine and colleagues, where the person starts off strong and falls off a few weeks in. And there are many different reasons for why this happens, but mainly it’s because people realize the amount of work involved. Life happens, work, family, relationships etc. also need nurturing. So finding the motivation to follow through our own goals can sometimes become so daunting.
And this is why the SMART strategy can often help. It forces us to take baby steps towards our goals. But what I’m saying is this: if it’s difficult to develop and maintain the motivation before the pandemic, what do you think the odds are during one? It’s been about a year, and people’s lives have been turned upside down. So is it really the time to be putting the pressure, work, and demand that comes with the SMART strategy? Or goal setting in general?
Honestly, the goal for some people is to simply try and survive right now. I’ve spoken to friends who are struggling to find work. Some have had to vacate because they can’t afford rent anymore. Some have had to leave town and move somewhere else. Others are overwhelmed and fatigued from working almost non-stop. Apparently companies can now downsize and ask the remaining employees to pick up the slack. Many people have hit a wall and they are exhausted, and health and fitness pros need to consider this.
So Now What?
I believe it’s unrealistic to expect the same kind of motivation, productivity, and positive outlook from people who are going through some very rough challenges. Goal setting is a privilege. Following through and committing to the work of the SMART strategy is becoming a luxury. Personal trainers and health and fitness specialists know this. We know that many people are struggling financially, as we are too. And many us have even less disposable income now than before.
Luckily there are many health and fitness pros who have put themselves on the hook. They have been offering their services and expertise for free all over social media. Some of us run free online group classes, and also post instructional and informative videos. But it’s also important that we stay away from too much passive aggressive guilt trips. You know what I mean…”Set better goals!” is a passive aggressive way of telling someone “you aren’t setting good goals”. It’s bullying people into feeling guilt and shame while they are struggling to survive. It needs to stop in general, and now probably more than ever.
It seems that, for those of us who are struggling, we need to simply focus on feeling good. We need as much good and positive feelings to keep dealing with the current struggle. It isn’t the time to feel bad about not setting goals, or setting better goals. It’s the time to be realistic about what we can take on and what we can do.
Final Thought
Health and fitness pros, myself included, need ease up on the motivation and goal bullying. Many people are simply not there right now, and probably won’t be for a while. Let’s continue to keep ourselves on the hook and be generous with offering our services, but OBVIOUSLY not at the expense of our own wellbeing! it’s important to share what we know, and take the time to check our privilege and make sure we aren’t being bullies.