SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. Let’s take weight loss as an example, because it appears like the whole city of Loveland has set a New Year’s resolution to lose weight. These objectives are keeping Gold’s Gym’s treadmills and weight machines busy right now.

I overheard someone remark the other day, “I want to lose some weight this year.” That’s a fantastic notion and wish. That is a wonderful and healthy concept. How much weight are you talking about? When will it be? Are you capable of losing weight? Is it plausible? Let’s make it a SMART objective.

I am now 220lbs. and 22% body fat. I will lose 20 lbs. and drop my body fat by 5% by July 31, 2014. Notice the difference? That statement is specific, it is measurable (20lbs, and 5% body fat), its attainable and realistic (20 lbs and 5% body fat dropping in 7 months is 3 lbs. and less that 1% BF drop per month), and July 31 is the time stamp.

If this SMART goal thing is so smart, then why do I still not hit my goals? Why will the gym be empty in three to four more weeks? Why do I lose steam?

The reason behind not accomplishing or loing interest in a goal is that I was never serious about it in the first place. I didn’t want to succeed as bad as I wanted to breathe (As Eric Thomas says. I will post a really inspirational video link below from him). I was not really so motivated by that goal that I would fight, work, kick and scream to see it happen. There were other things in life just more important than that goal that distracted me. The goal was hard work and I was not willing to do it.

The technical aspects of the SMART goal are excellent. However, if you do not have a deep rooted desire, a permanent passion, and fire in your belly to see this thing through no matter what, then you will be on of the people who hop off the treadmill. It may take longer than 3 weeks, it may be 3 months, maybe 6 months.

What is the motivation and passion behind your goals? Do you desire them as much as you desire to breathe? Is your SMART merely some words on paper, or are you prepared to sacrifice, labor, fail and come back, fail and come back, fail and come back? Is your objective related to leaving a purposeful effect and legacy on our planet? Is it yours or someone else’s?

Start 2014 off, and more importantly finish it off on December 31, with the kind of passion, desire and will to succeed as much as you want to breathe.

For those of you who have never seen Eric Thomas’ video about this concept “Succceed Like You Want to Breathe,” it is a must watch. If this does not light a fire in your belly about something, I am not sure what will. I shared this yesterday on social media, and here is it again below.