SMART goals are dumb
SMART goals are: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.
What is the end purpose of setting a specific, measurable, time-bound goal? You wouldn't set out to accomplish something that you don't want to do, right? And does the activity stop once you've achieved the goal?
Probably not.
For example, if you set a SMART goal of running the New York marathon this year, you have just committed yourself to becoming a runner. You'll need to run multiple days per week, on a progressive schedule where each week gets a little harder than the prior week.
By the time the NYC marathon comes around, you should be in good shape and able to run 20+ miles at a time.
But here's the thing: what happens after the marathon is over? Do you cross NYCM off your list, stop running, and move on to the next SMART goal? Do you continue to run as part of your daily/weekly routine, but maybe at a reduced weekly mileage? Or do you turn up the intensity and schedule another marathon, or try to beat your time at next year's NYCM?
If you stop running after the marathon, then a SMART goal made sense. But, if you stop running after, then I would ask why you wanted to run a marathon in the first place?
If you continue running, then your goal would probably have been better realized through running as a process. "I want to be a runner, someone who runs. I will become this person by running 3-5 days every week, increasing my mileage a little bit each week as I get better at it. AND I will run the New York City marathon."
The SMART goal is 100% focused on the NYCM; you either succeed or you fail. No points for being able to run 15 miles at a time, getting into the best shape of your adult life, losing 30 lbs, and sticking to your routine for an entire year. If you aren't ready for the NYCM, you failed.
The Process-AND goal helped change who you are, how you view yourself, and set you up for long-term health and fitness. This process will lead to being able to run multiple marathons - if you so desire, even if it takes longer to get there.
The SMART goal forces you to divert a fixed amount of resources (time, energy, sleep, family time) to running. In order to be successful, everything else in your life needs to be subservient to the goal.
The Process-AND goal allows you to incorporate running into your schedule, with enough flexibility to account for deadline-weeks, sick children, or whatever else life throws your way. You can still be a runner, and you can improve month after month, and you can have made significant progress, even if you can't quite run the NYCM yet.
Partial credit is acceptable.
I love goals, but I love them as processes, behavior modifications, and lifestyle changes that make me a better version of myself - day after day for the long term.
I think SMART goals are dumb.
- Chris Butterworth