From SMART to SMARTEST
A Better Framework for Your Resolutions
The start of a new year is when millions of people set their hopes and dreams in motion through New Year’s resolutions. I don’t scoff at this, It’s a powerful tradition—an opportunity to reflect, refocus, and commit to change. I’m all for it.
I’ll even share some photos of some recently checked-off goals of my own in this post.
But let’s be real: most resolutions don’t last. Not only do the resolutions themselves fail to come to pass, but people are actually worse off because of it. Not only didn’t they become what they were hoping, but they now have ANOTHER reason not to trust themselves in the future.
Statistics show that 43% of people give up on their resolutions by February, and only 9% successfully achieve their goals by the end of the year. That means the vast majority of people start the year full of hope but end it feeling hopeless and stuck.
Why? Well there are lots of reasons, but one we can offer an anecdote for is because their goals lack clarity, connection, or a meaningful framework to sustain them.
If you’ve ever felt the frustration of setting a goal only to abandon it weeks later, it could be because you lack discipline—but it could also be because the framework you used wasn’t setting you up for success (for most of us, it’s probably a bit of both).
So this year, let’s do it better.
Studies show that using a structured goal-setting framework, like SMARTEST (one i’ve come up with based off the well-known SMART framework), can significantly improve follow-through and success.
Research from the American Psychological Association reveals that people who set specific, actionable goals are 10 times more likely to achieve them than those who don’t. Pairing this with meaningful, transformative elements ensures that your goals not only stick but also lead to real growth.
But if we’re not careful, chasing goals can backfire. It’s entirely possible to set goals, achieve them, and still feel worse for it.
Why? Because when goals are driven by the wrong motivations, external pressures, or shallow intentions, they can leave us feeling unfulfilled or disconnected from who we truly are.
We need a better way to set goals—one that isn’t just about achievement but about alignment. The goals we pursue should be inspired by the vision we have for our “highest” self, and the journey toward achieving them should help us grow into that very version we dream about.
I felt this need at a personal level, so I began to play with the the SMARTEST framework concept. This framework goes beyond the traditional SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals to ensure your goals are not only actionable and measurable but also meaningful, sustainable, and transformative.
This framework helps you align your efforts with your values, adapt to life’s unpredictability, and stay inspired by the process itself.
When you set goals with the SMARTEST framework, you’re not just checking off accomplishments—you’re building the foundation for a life that’s deeply fulfilling and aligned with your purpose.
Let’s explore how to redefine your approach to goal-setting and create goals that truly matter.
The Importance of Qualitative and Quantitative Components
A SMARTEST goal integrates both quantitative and qualitative elements to ensure depth and balance:
Quantitative components focus on measurable outcomes, providing clarity and progress tracking. These are the “what” and “how much” of your goals—like running a certain distance or hitting a specific milestone.
Qualitative components ensure your goals resonate with your values and bring intrinsic meaning to the process. They answer the “why” and “how it feels,” connecting your goal to a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Together, these components create goals that are both actionable and meaningful, combining the precision of clear metrics with the motivation of personal connection.
So what’s the framework?
The SMARTEST Goals Framework
S - Specific (Quantitative)
Define your goal clearly and include a timeframe. Vague intentions lead to vague results. For example, “run a ½ marathon in six months” is specific, while “run more” is not. A specific goal provides clarity and direction.
Prompts:
Is your goal clear enough to explain in one sentence?
Does your goal include a timeframe or deadline?
M - Meaningful (Qualitative)
Goals should resonate with your values and purpose. Ask yourself why this goal matters to you and how achieving it will enhance your life. Meaningful goals fuel motivation when things get tough.
Prompts:
Why does this goal matter to you personally?
How will achieving this goal make your life better or align with your values?
A - Adaptive (Qualitative)
Life is unpredictable. Build flexibility into your goal to adjust your approach or timeline when circumstances change. Setting goals that are ultimately out of your control is just part of it, so we need to plan ahead for these unknown yet possible circumstances. We are always in control of how we navigate any obstacle that shows up in the process. For example, if you’re training for a ½ marathon and get injured, adapt by focusing on strength training or swimming until you can run again.
Prompts:
If unexpected obstacles arise, how can you adjust the process or outcome?
What’s an alternative plan that still feels meaningful if circumstances change?
R - Relevant (Qualitative)
Your goal should fit into your current priorities and align with your life. Of course goals should be scary, require sacrifice, and force you to take big swings. However, setting an irrelevant goal (like become an astronaut) is likely highly dissonant to your current lifestyle. Does that make it wrong? Not necessarily, but you’ll just need to be aware of how many things will have to change in order for that goal to become relevant. A relevant goal is one that reflects where you are and what you care about, ensuring it’s integrated into your life and accessible, rather than feeling disconnected.
Prompts:
Does this goal align with your current priorities and passions?
How does this goal fit into your daily life or long-term vision?
T - Trackable (Quantitative)
Measure progress both in preparation and in achieving the final goal. A trackable goal lets you monitor milestones or benchmarks along the way and ensures there’s a clear finish line, like running a ½ marathon or logging weekly runs in a journal.
Prompts:
What specific benchmarks will measure progress throughout the journey?
Is the completion of your goal clearly defined and measurable?
E - Exciting (Qualitative)
Your goals should light a fire within you. Focus on the excitement of becoming the kind of person who achieves this goal and the specific parts of the process you’ll enjoy, like running with friends, experiencing race-day highs, or the satisfaction you’ll experience following the event.
Prompts:
What excites you most about the process of achieving this goal?
How will becoming the person who achieves this goal inspire you?
S - Sustainable (Qualitative & Quantitative)
Build your goal in a way that promotes long-term growth. Avoid extremes that lead to burnout. Instead, focus on habits and actions that you can sustain over time, like gradually increasing mileage rather than diving straight into intense training.
Prompts:
Are the habits and routines you’re building sustainable for the long term?
How can you pace yourself to avoid burnout while making consistent progress?
T - Transformative (Qualitative)
The best goals don’t just check a box—they change you. Focus on how this goal will help you grow as a person, develop new skills, and strengthen your character.
Prompts:
How will achieving this goal change you on a deeper level?
What skills or qualities will you develop through this process?
Example SMARTEST Goal
Run a Half Marathon by June 1st
Specific: Run a half marathon by June 1st.
Meaningful: Running improves my mental health and strengthens my discipline.
Adaptive: If injured, focus on a different event like a bike or swim or adjust the race date.
Relevant: This goal aligns with my desire to be healthy, challenge myself, and is completely accessible.
Trackable: Log weekly runs with a benchmark 60 minute run every 6 weeks that shows improvements in pace.
Exciting: The idea of training with friends, challenging myself, the vision of crossing the finish life, and the feeling of being the kind of person who completed a 1/2 marathon are all exciting to me.
Sustainable: Follow a gradual training plan that increases mileage safely and allows for recovery. Go slow to go far.
Transformative: Build trust with myself by following through with something i’ve decided to do. Use this trust and confidence to continue to transform and grow in the future.
I’ll end with this.
I believe the reason so many people don’t set goals—or fail to follow through with the ones they do set—isn’t because they’re weak or incapable. It’s because, deep down, they question whether they’re truly worthy of the transformation they dream about.
So, if no one else tells you, hear it from me - you are worth it. You are worthy of your life becoming less like it is now and more like what you dream of.
So, as you step forward, let the SMARTEST framework be your guide. Use it to align your goals with your highest vision of yourself, and watch as you not only achieve them but grow into someone who no longer doubts their worth.
You are worth it. Now, go enjoy the journey.
Happy 2025.
