As the world prepares to countdown into 2016 tonight, there is a strong focus on resolutions and fresh goals for the new year. While Capetonians enclave themselves in New Year’s celebrations you may be keen on beginning a new chapter which could mean trying to pay off your credit cards or quit smoking. Do not limit yourself to do or die goals. It doesn’t mean having grand aspirations hiking up Lion’s Head numbing your knees, tackling your heap of debt or replace your lino flooring. Life coach Wiedaad Emeraan advises that a resolution should be realistic. She guarantees that goals are not too far from your grasp with her S.M.A.R.T strategy.

S.M.A.R.T is a strategic model devised by global life coaches to assist in the resolution setting process. The acronym: S for Specific, M for Measurable, A for Achievable, R for Realistic, and T for Time Frame.

When setting a goal, be as specific as possible.

“You cannot simply say I want to start running. Rather ask, by when do I want to start running. What do you want to do? What do you have to do in order to participate in that 10km race,” says Emeraan.

The next step is deciding how measurable the goal is.

“You have to ask yourself how you are going to measure this goal,” says Emeraan.

Decide what you have to do in order to knuckle down on your goals.

“Think about how you will be able to participate in the 15km race. How are you going to get your work out started,” says Emeraan.

Emeraan advises goal-setters to break up their goals in to make them more graspable.

“So you want to run the 15km race. Break up the goal into more sizable chunks of short term goals. First create a timetable and try to stick to it,” says Emeraan.

Try following the procedure for a few days to see its effectiveness.

“Try running for three days of the week to see if it works for you,” says Emeraan.

In order to determine this you have to observe whether your goals are achievable. People need to source out the ‘hows and whats’.

“Reflect and ask yourself how you are going to do this. What are you going to do? It’s like having a dream and drawing a permanent line,” says Emeraan.

She adds: “That one needs to ask one’s self how you can set up goals in order not to fail but to achieve them,” says Emeraan.

The goal rule for Emeraan is motivation. To her people need to stay motivated and constantly working on their goals.

“Motivate yourself. Tell yourself you will achieve these goals and ask yourself what is motivating you to do this,” says Emeraan.

Being realistic is key in order to get your goals done.

“If you set long term goals like buying a house or having a baby, think about how you will achieve it and what you will use to achieve it. Be realistic. Be honest – with yourself,” says Emeraan.

Set a time frame in which you will achieve your goals.

Emeraan recommends a time frame for goals as it gives them structure.

“If you have a time frame you will have a set plan to follow. By doing this it makes your goals tangible,” says Emeraan.

She admits that goal setting starts with searching for ways of improvement.

“It starts by asking how this will improve your life,” says Emeraan. VOC (Nailah Cornelissen)