Instead of setting vague, lofty goals that often get left behind, how about designing a year full of what makes YOU HAPPY? Using my SMAHT goal system. That’s right, with my full Boston accent, we are turning that R in SMART into an H for happiness. So what are SMAHT goals? They have to be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, have a HAPPINESS FACTOR, and are Time-bound. Why? Because when your goals are SMAHT, they’re not just achievable tasks —they’re actionable plans that feed your happiness.
Why Some Goals or Resolutions Don’t Work
Let’s start with a little reality check. Studies show that while about 40% of people set New Year’s resolutions, only 9% feel they’re successful by the end of the year. That’s a pretty big gap. And if you’re anything like me, you know the feeling of starting the year with all the motivation in the world, only to feel like you’ve lost steam by the time February rolls around.
Why does this happen? Well, it comes down to two major factors: vagueness and lack of systems to build habits. Resolutions like “I want to exercise more” or “I’ll save more money” might sound great, but they don’t give you a clear path forward. And here’s the kicker: these types of resolutions rely entirely on motivation—and motivation is fleeting.
In contrast, SMAHT goals work because they’re grounded in clarity, accountability and are rooted to the things that make you happy. Research shows that if you write down your goals and create specific action plans you are 42% more likely to achieve them. It’s not magic—it’s strategy. And you know I love strategy.
How it Works Raise your hand if you’ve ever set a resolution like “I want to get healthier” or “I’m going to save more money this year.” [Yep, me too! But the problem with resolutions like these is that they’re too vague.
Think about it: What does "healthier" even mean? Does it mean eating more vegetables? Exercising more? Sleeping better? And how do you know when you’ve succeeded? That’s where SMAHT goals come in. They give you clarity and structure so you can actually achieve what you set out to do.
SMAHT stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Happiness, and Time-bound. Each of these elements helps refine your resolution into something that’s not just inspirational but also actionable. Let’s go deeper into each of these elements and how you can apply them to your own goals.
S: Specific
Your goal should be clear and precise. Instead of saying, “I want to be healthier,” say, “I want to eat five servings of vegetables a day.” This removes ambiguity and gives you a clear focus.
Ask yourself: Who is involved? What exactly do I want to accomplish? Why is this important? And how will I do it?
M: Measurable
How will you track your progress? For our veggie goal, you could keep a food journal or use an app to track your servings. Measuring your progress not only keeps you motivated but also lets you see how far you’ve come. Make sure your goal is realistic.
A: Achievable
If you’re currently eating zero veggies, jumping straight to five servings might feel overwhelming. Maybe start with two servings a day and build up from there. Remember, it’s better to start small and build momentum than to aim too high and burn out.
H: Happiness
Your goal should align with your bigger picture. Ask yourself why this matters to you.
Will it make you feel better and happier? For example, eating more vegetables might align with your desire to have more energy, reduce stress, or improve your overall health. Because you notice when you are not eating veggies, you are grumpier, run-down, and have little to no energy. When your goal connects to a deeper "why," it’s easier to stay committed.
T: Time-bound
Set a deadline. Instead of saying, “I’ll eat more vegetables,” say, “I’ll eat five servings of vegetables daily by March 1st.” Deadlines create urgency and help you stay on track. But remember to be flexible if unexpected challenges arise.
SMAHT Goals in Action Goal: You want to save money
Here’s how a SMAHT goal might look:
Specific: I want to save $1,000 for a vacation.
Measurable: I’ll set aside $100 each week.
Achievable: I’ll adjust my budget to cut back on dining out and impulse purchases.
Hoppiness: Taking this vacation is important to me because I want to recharge and spend quality time with loved ones, which makes me happy and not rundown
Time-bound: I’ll save $1,000 by June 1st.
Another example is around setting better boundaries at work, which is a favorite subject of mine.
Let's make it SMAHT.
Specific: I will stop checking work emails after 7 PM.
Measurable: I’ll track this by setting a recurring reminder to log off and reviewing my email activity weekly.
Achievable: I’ll inform my team and clients about my new boundaries to manage expectations.
Happiness: This aligns with my desire to create more personal time for the things that bring me joy and reduce burnout.
Time-bound: I will implement this habit starting January 1st and review its impact by February 15th.
Notice I am breaking down setting boundaries into something achievable and specific, not just an overarching statement of having more boundaries at work. You can stack additional boundaries, setting goals on top of this once you feel like this has been achieved and understood. And there you have it—the key to creating a happier life is to identify what needs to change and set some SMAHT goals to actually achieve it. Remember, the magic isn’t in the goal itself—it’s in the plan you create to make it happen.
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