Goal setting is easy – sticking to them is the hard part. If you have not read Part 1 on How to set SMART Goals. Stop everything and go back to Part 1. Now that we know how to set SMART health goals, let’s get into how to make sure you stick to them.

Find your why!

This is essentially going to help you stay motivated even when you don’t want to. The easiest way is to keep asking yourself why until you can’t go any further. For example, if your goal is to be in bed by 10pm during weekdays for the next 2 months, your why’s might be:

Why? Because you want to increase the quantity of time asleep.

Why? because you want to have more energy and focus.

Why? because you want to have energy and focus to work on your business.

So next time you look at the clock and its 9.45 and you are only half way through your K-drama, you can remind yourself that you want to get more sleep so that you have more energy and focus to work on your business tomorrow.

Write Them Down

Putting your goals on paper makes them real. It’s a commitment you’re making to yourself. You can also keep them visible as a daily reminder of what you’re working towards. Ideally this is somewhere that you can see every day like your bathroom mirror, your fridge or the lock screen on your phone. If you don’t think this is enough, sharing them with others can also help to keep you accountable. Some people also like to have an accountability partner (I’m happy to be yours) where they check-in with each other weekly/fortnightly/monthly to help them stay accountable.

Plan for challenges

Anticipate for challenges and come up with some strategies on how you’ll deal with them. If you’re trying to eat healthier, what’s your strategy for dining out? If your goal is to go to bed at 10pm, what is your strategies if you know like to doom scroll. Maybe you can set up downtime on your phone (for iPhone) or set an app limited on Android. If your goal is to have home cook meal but you don’t know what to cook. – Pick 4-5 recipe that are easy and quick that you have on hand. By having a strategy, you’ll know exactly what to do when these challenges come up (and I guarantee they will!).

Track Your Progress

Use a journal, app, or simply a calendar to record your progress. Seeing how far you’ve come can be incredibly motivating. Don’t wait until you’ve reached your final goal to celebrate. Recognise and reward yourself for the small wins along the way. This reinforces positive behaviour and keeps you motivated. If you’re not making the expected progress, it is okay to reassess and adjust your goal. Be flexible with your goals. Life happens, and your goals may need to be change accordingly. Regularly reassessing your goals ensures they remain relevant and achievable.

Seek Support

Having support from a healthcare professional like a Naturopath can help you in setting and achieving health goals. They can help assess your current health concern and help you come up with a personalised plan with tailored herbal and nutritional advice, along with lifestyle modifications that align with your WHY. They will also keep you on track with regular check-in and based on your feedback and progress help you celebrate you wins or make adjustment to your goals. You can think of a Naturopath as like having a PT but for your health.

Setting goals for your health is a deeply personal process, but it doesn’t have to be a lonely one. By following these tips, you can set yourself up for success and take meaningful strides towards a healthier, happier you, Remember, it's about progress not perfection. The journey to better health is ongoing, and every step counts.

Happy goal setting!