I’m a huge fan of goal setting; in fact it’s one of my favourite things to do. Whether it’s a big, audacious, reach for the stars type of goal, or a much smaller quick win goal, the key to achieving it is the same, and that’s making sure it’s a SMART goal. Contrary to popular belief, this doesn’t mean it has to be academic, and a SMART goal is simply an acronym for an easy to follow formula that provides clarity and accountability, making you far more likely to achieve exactly what you set out to do! So here’s how to set smart goals!
The S stands for Specific
When it comes to setting a goal, you should get as specific as you can. While it’s great to want to improve your pirouettes, that’s a little bit too vague. Instead, be really clear on exactly what you want to achieve. For example, it might be “I want to do 15 fouettés en pointe”. Getting really clear on exactly what you want to achieve is the first step!
Think about your goal and write it down (remember to be as specific as you can).
The M stands for Measurable
In order to know that you’ve successfully achieved a goal, you need to be able to measure its success. If we look at that same goal earlier ‘to improve my pirouettes’ there’s no way to measure whether we have or haven’t improved. By getting specific and saying “I want to nail 15 fouettés en pointe” we’re able to immediately measure whether we were successful or not.
Have a look at the goal you just wrote down and answer yes or no… can it be measured?
The A stands for Actionable
One of my favourite sayings is ‘A goal without a plan is just a wish’ and I completely agree! Once you’ve gotten really clear on what your goal is, the next step is to write a list of actions you’re going to take that will help you get there. There are so many specific goal related exercises on our Claudia Dean World App that will help you improve particular areas including fouettés and foot strength. So your action items here could be, to complete 3 x 20-minute fouetté exercises every week and 2 x foot strength exercises a week.
Take a moment to write down some action steps for the goal you want to achieve. Now would also be a great time to download the Claudia Dean App so you can start utilising the exercises.
The R stands for Realistic
While it’s always good to have big goals, it’s also just as important to be realistic with yourself. If you have just started dancing en pointe, you might want to start with something a little bit more achievable first like “I want to nail a double pirouette en dehor en pointe” before moving onto fouettes.
Take a moment to assess whether your goal is realistic for you to achieve at this point in your ballet journey and if not, adjust accordingly.
The T stands for Timebound
Setting an end date for your goal will not only help you stay accountable, but also on track with the items on your action list. If you don’t have a timeframe set out from the get go, you’ll find it harder to stay accountable and keep finding excuses to put it off. So going back to the original example, we would simply add a time frame… “I want to nail 15 fouettes en dehor en pointe in 6 weeks”. This helps to pull everything together and will also help you track your progress along the way. If you’re still struggling at the 3 week mark, it might be time to relook at some of the action items you’ve listed, or to even rejig the goal so you still achieve it!
So I want you to have a go at setting a ballet goal, and once you’ve written it down ask yourself these simple questions. Is it specific? Is it measurable? Is it actionable? Is it realistic? And finally, is it time bound?
Remember, you don’t need a new year, a new month or even a new week to set some new goals! All you need is the passion to make it happen and the SMART goal formula! Having an accountability partner also helps you achieve your goals, so once you’re happy with your goal, tell someone! If you don’t have an accountability buddy, I’d love to hear your SMART Goal! Message it to me on Instagram here!
It’s a great day to smash some goals!
Love CD xxx
