05/28/2024
“SMART” goal setting. Goal setting is a key intervention for patients looking to make behavioral changes.3 Helping patients visualize what they need to do to reach their goals may make it more likely that they will succeed. The acronym SMART can be used to guide patients through the goal-setting process:
Specific. Encourage patients to get as specific as possible about their goals. If patients want to be more active or lose weight, how active do they want to be and how much weight do they want to lose?
Measurable. Ensure that the goal is measurable. For how many minutes will they exercise and how many times a week?
Attainable. Make sure patients can reasonably reach their goals. If patients commit to going to the gym daily, how realistic is this goal given their schedule? What would be a more attainable goal?
Relevant. Ensure that the goal is relevant to the patient. Why does the person want to make this change? How will this change improve his or her life?
Timely. Help patients define a specific timeline for the goal. When do they want to reach their goal? When will you follow-up with them? Proximal, rather than distal, goals are preferred. Helping patients set a goal to lose five pounds in the next month may feel less overwhelming than a goal of losing 50 pounds in the next year.
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/fpm/issues/2018/0300/p31.html
