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Health & Fitness

Work S.M.A.R.T.

Sure hard work pays off, but how about working smart? Make that S.M.A.R.T. Be sure to follow Jeff Katz by visiting www.facebook.com/coachjeffkatz or twitter.com/coachjeffkatz

            So, we’ve all heard the suggestion that you need to work hard in order to achieve something. Just when we all agree that hard work is essential, then someone else comes along and offers that nugget about working smart instead of hard. So which is it? You’re right, both are vital to success but one can truly become a game plan to get there in a much more direct path.

            Take a look at the word smart and see it as an acronym. Understand that to work smart, you’ll need to start with “S” which stands for a specific goal. “M” reminds you that the goal must be measurable. “A” mandates that the goal actually be attainable. “R” declares that the goal must be realistic and relevant and finally “T” forces us to impose a timely nature to the goal.

            When we attempt to spell out our goals, most of us make sweeping pronouncements. I want to lose weight is a common refrain, but what exactly does that mean and how do you get there? I want to lose weight could mean that you want to drop twenty pounds or one hundred pounds. Set a specific goal of ten pounds and now you know what you really want to do. Why? Because now it is specific and measurable! Dropping ten pounds in a day is not reasonable but ten pounds in two months is attainable and realistic with a clearly delineated time line attached. In other words, you’ll be working towards your goal of dropping ten pounds in a S.M.A.R.T. way!

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