Identify S.M.A.R.T. Goals

Healthylife® QuitWell™

Part 3

Hand writing on a notepad with colored pencils all around.

Think of the actions you take on a daily basis as small steps towards your bigger goal. This guide will give you many ideas for small steps, such as putting your cigarettes in a different place or buying one tin of chew at a time. Identify your next step and use the S.M.A.R.T. tool to improve the chances of reaching your goal.

SMART goal chart.

S.M.A.R.T. in Action

Before: “I want to cut back.”

S.M.A.R.T. Goal: “Today I will put 12 cigarettes in an empty pack instead of the 15 I usually have. I will keep my emergency pack of substitutes (gum, toothpicks) with me and will leave my cigarettes behind. I will cut back by 1 cigarette each day this week.”

Practice Goal-Setting

Strengthen your goal using the S.M.A.R.T. tool. Start with a simple statement about what you want to do. Next, write how your goal will be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine