Setting SMART Goals

“When you set a clear goal, you give your future self permission to grow into it.”

Have you ever set a wellness goal like “I want to eat better” or “I just want to feel good in my body again”… but felt lost and unmotivated two weeks in?

There was no clear plan. No way to measure progress. No idea what “better” even means.Just pressure. Frustration. Guilt. Repeat.

The truth is, most goals fail not because we aren’t capable of achieving them — but because we weren’t clear about them.

At Claire Cares Wellness, we teach women how to set goals that feel empowering, not overwhelming. Goals that are structured, but still compassionate.

We teach you how to devise SMART goals.

What Are SMART Goals?

SMART is an acronym that helps you break vague intentions into real, achievable steps. It stands for:

• Specific

• Measurable

• Achievable

• Relevant

• Time-bound

Let’s take a closer look at each one:

Specific: “What exactly am I working toward?”

Vague goal: I want to get healthier.

SMART goal: I want to eat a nourishing breakfast every weekday to support my energy and mindset.

Specific goals help give your brain a clear and, well, specific, direction.

They stop you from spiralling into “all or nothing” thinking and they anchor you in clarity instead.

Ask yourself:

• What does “healthy” look like for me right now?

• Which area of wellness (nutrition, mindset, movement) feels most important to focus on?

Measurable: “How will I track my progress?”

You can’t grow what you can’t, don’t, or won’t measure.

In a wellness context, this doesn’t mean obsessing over numbers (please never do this) — it means having touchpoints for consistency.

Examples:

• I will track my mood and energy levels after each meal.

• I will log my walks three times a week in my notes app.

• I’ll use a habit tracker to mark my daily water intake.

These gentle checkpoints help you notice change, and more importantly, celebrate it.

[image of a minimalist habit tracker journal with soft pastel highlighters] Alt text: A journal with a habit tracker designed for daily wellness routines.

Achievable: “Is this goal realistic for my current life?”

This one’s key.

At Claire Cares Wellness, we’re not here to glorify burnout or hustle culture. We believe this is unrealistic and unsustainable. 

We believe that real growth happens when your goals are doable, not dramatic.

Instead of:

 ❌ “I’ll never eat sugar again”

 Try:

 ✅ “I’ll add one protein-rich snack each day to support my blood sugar and cravings”

Give yourself permission to start small.Progress isn’t glamorous — it’s consistent.

Relevant: “Does this goal actually matter to me?”

Here’s where you get honest.

Are you setting this goal because it feels right for you — or because it feels expected?Women are often taught to chase weight loss, size, or appearance-driven goals. But relevance is about values, so forget what you think you should do, and focus on what you want to do.

A relevant SMART goal is emotionally connected to your why. Here are some examples of what that may look like:

• I want to feel more present with my kids, so I’m working on better sleep hygiene.

  
  

• I want to reduce anxiety around food, so I’m practising mindful eating during lunch.

This kind of alignment turns goals into self-respect, not self-punishment.

Time-bound: “What’s my time frame?”

Deadlines don’t have to feel scary — they help you move forward with intention.

Example:

• By the end of this month, I want to have prepared 4 home-cooked dinners per week.

  
  

• Over the next 6 weeks, I’ll aim to journal 3 mornings a week to support my mindset.

Give your goal a container — and let that structure support your momentum.

A SMART Goal in Action

Let’s say you’ve been struggling with low energy and chaotic eating patterns.

Instead of: “I want to eat better,”

You could set a SMART goal like:

“For the next 30 days, I will prepare a balanced, protein-rich breakfast every weekday to support my energy and reduce afternoon crashes.”

• ✅ Specific: Balanced breakfast

• ✅ Measurable: Every weekday

• ✅ Achievable: One meal, not an overhaul

• ✅ Relevant: Linked to energy and wellness

• ✅ Time-bound: 30 days

This goal is simple, kind, and rooted in self-care — exactly how Claire Cares Wellness defines success.

Why SMART Goals Work: Short + Long Term Benefits

🟢 Short-term:

• Reduced overwhelm — you know what to do

• Boosted confidence from consistent follow-through

• Greater awareness of how your body and mind respond to small changes

🔵 Long-term:

• Habit formation without relying on motivation

• Stronger relationship with your wellness journey

• A new identity: someone who follows through

Most importantly?

SMART goals teach you that you don’t have to go extreme to feel empowered.Small shifts become lasting change — one clear, loving intention at a time.

Final Thought: You Deserve Goals That Honour You

Your goals don’t need to be perfect.

They need to be personal.

Rooted in who you are, and who you’re becoming — not who you think you should be (or who others pressure you to be).

If you’re ready to create meaningful, compassionate goals with support, structure, and soul throughout your wellness journey — Claire Cares Wellness is here to walk beside you. One decision, one habit, one moment at a time.

Book Your Free Consultation Today