Setting goals is just as important as going to the gym and exercising every day. However, often times we set ourselves up for failure by setting unrealistic goals for ourselves like “I want to lose 20 pounds in a month.” Why not set yourself up for success from the beginning so you can keep pushing yourself further? Using the S.M.A.R.T. principle can help you organize and reach your goals one step at a time.

Specific: Your goal should specifically state what is to be accomplished. It must be clear and should not be ambiguous so that you know exactly what you are aiming to do. For example, rather than stating you would like be in better shape, set a specific goal to be able to go to the gym three days a week.

Measurable: Your goal should be able to be measured in some way, so you can see if you achieved it or not. Making your goal measurable will also help you to keep track of your progress. How can going to the gym three days a week be measured? Well, you can use Apps to document when you went to the gym or highlight on your planner what three days you went.

Action oriented: What are you going to do to make your goal happen? In order to achieve it you must be willing to make some sort of effort. You can actively set reminders on your phone on any of the three days of the week to remind you to go to the gym or ask a friend to be your workout buddy. Working out with others often makes us more accountable because we know another person is relying on us to be there.

Realistic: A goal is a not a wish; it should be something that is attainable to you as an individual. Starting off small and building up in increments is often a great way to make a goal realistic. If you haven’t worked out in months, saying you will go to the gym every day might not be realistic, but starting out with two or three days will make it more achievable.

Time: Set a date for when you want to accomplish your goal so that you can keep yourself accountable.

So remember to be S.M.A.R.T. when setting your goals.