Get Smart About New Year’s Resolutions

The key to an achievable New Year’s resolution is to make it “SMART,” the New York Times says. An acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound, management gurus have long used SMART techniques to help businesses make and track concrete, realistic goals. For instance, a SMART personal goal would be “I’m going to lose 10 pounds in three months,” instead of “I’m going to lose some weight.” Giving a goal specific targets and timeframes, in other words, helps delineate the often difficult task ahead.