the key is to devise a way to make sure you follow through with the changes. The most effective way I have learned to do this is through the use of S.M.A.R.T. goals. • The “S” stands for “specific.” Don’t make the goals complicat-ed or vague; make sure they are clear and well defined. • The “M” stands for “measurable.” It is important that you can deter-mine, at some point later in the year, whether you have reached your goal or not. This is why numerical goals are easily under-stood. Things like weight, money and time can be easily measured and you will definitely know when you are there. • The “A” stands for “attainable.” Your goals should be attainable and realistic. It can be very de-motivating to work towards them if they are not. • The “R” stands for “results-based.” This means you should keep in mind that you are look-ing for specific results when • choosing your goals. Lastly the “T” is for “timeline.” Always give yourself a deadline and make it short. Long, drawn-out timelines get put on the backburner and get boring after a while, so shorten your timeline to push yourself. THREE THINGS Let’s review how we would go about reaching a new goal. The first step is to create a list as I have done above in the areas that you believe are necessary to change. Whether your list is long or short, rank the list from one to 10, with one being the thing that if changed will create the greatest results for your prac-tice. (You may find that starting by pick -ing the three things that you need to work on this year is just enough to keep you busy and motivated.) Once you have your list created, start with number one and break it down us-ing the S.M.A.R.T. system, making sure that goal is specific, attainable, results-oriented, and measurable, and that the timeline is short. Once you have com-pleted the first goal, move to number two on your list, and so on. Goals can be easily set but not eas-ily attained. Using this system should make things clearer for you and your team and make reaching your goals a lot easier. Good luck, and remember, when it comes to your practice, work from the inside out. • KEYS TO MAKING AND KEEPING PRACTICE GOALS Start by assessing yourself, person-ally and professionally. Then, exam-ine your practice for areas that need change and/or improvement. ActioN SteP 1: Make a list of goals you want to reach for this year. ActioN SteP 2: Rank the goals from the most important to least. ActioN SteP 3: Take the three most important goals and break them down using the S.M.A.R.T. system. www.canadianchiropractor.ca CANADiAN CHiROPRACTOR | FEBRUARY 2013 • 39
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