SMART Goals vs Regular Goals
- Deborah Ann Martin
- 13 hours ago
- 4 min read
Why How You Set a Goal Matters More Than the Goal Itself
Most people do not fail because they lack goals. They fail because the way they set goals works against them.
When people say things like “I just can’t stick to goals” or “I always fail at this,” they often assume something is wrong with their motivation, discipline, or character. In reality, the problem is usually much simpler.
They are using ad hoc goals instead of SMART goals.
This article breaks down the difference between regular goals and SMART goals, so you can clearly see why one approach leads to frustration and self-doubt, while the other leads to steady progress and confidence.
Think of this like comparing products before making a purchase. The details matter.
What Most People Mean by “Regular Goals”
Regular goals are the goals most of us were taught to set. They are often created in moments of motivation or frustration and sound something like this:
I want to lose weight
I need to get my life together
I should save more money
I want to be less stressed
I need to do better
These goals are not bad intentions. But they lack structure, protection, and clarity.
They rely heavily on motivation and willpower, both of which are unreliable, especially under stress, illness, burnout, or emotional overload.
What SMART Goals Do Differently
SMART goals are designed to work with human limits instead of against them.
They provide:
clarity
structure
flexibility
emotional safety
measurable progress
SMART goals are not about pushing harder. They are about making progress possible.
SMART Goals vs Regular Goals: A Comparison Chart
Here is a side-by-side comparison to show how different approaches impact real people.
Goal Setting Comparison
Regular Goals
Vague and broad
Based on motivation
Focused on outcomes only
Often overwhelming
Easy to abandon
Failure feels personal
SMART Goals
Clear and specific
Based on structure
Focused on process
Designed to be manageable
Easy to adjust
Failure becomes learning
Example: Weight Loss
Regular Goal
“I want to lose weight.”
This sounds reasonable, but it leaves the brain with too many unanswered questions: What do I do? How much? When? How often? What if I miss a day?
SMART Goal
“I will walk for five minutes, three times this week.”
This removes uncertainty and creates a clear action the brain can follow.
Example: Financial Goals
Regular Goal
“I need to save more money.”
This often leads to guilt and avoidance.
SMART Goal
“I will save ten dollars each payday for the next month.”
This creates a clear plan and reduces anxiety.
Example: Stress Reduction
Regular Goal
“I want to be less stressed.”
This offers no direction.
SMART Goal
“I will take a five-minute break without my phone once per day.”
This creates an actionable step toward the outcome.
How Regular Goals Impact Self-Worth
Regular goals often create a harmful cycle:
Set a big goal
Feel motivated
Get overwhelmed
Fall behind
Feel like a failure
Quit
Over time, people stop trusting themselves.
They start believing:
I never follow through
I always mess this up
Why even try
This is not a personal flaw. It is a design flaw.
How SMART Goals Protect Self-Worth
SMART goals change the experience of goal setting entirely.
Instead of asking: “Why can’t I do this?”
People start asking: “How can I make this fit my life?”
SMART goals:
normalize adjustment
encourage curiosity instead of judgment
build confidence through proof
reduce all-or-nothing thinking
Each small win reinforces the belief that progress is possible.
How SMART Goals Compare to Other Goal Setting Approaches
People may have heard of other methods, such as:
vision boards
intention setting
habit stacking
stretch goals
Each of these can be helpful, but they often lack safeguards.
Vision based goals inspire, but do not guide daily action.
Intentions feel good, but are hard to measure.
Stretch goals motivate some people, but overwhelm others.
SMART goals work because they combine intention with structure and compassion.
They bridge the gap between wanting change and actually making it happen.
Why We Emphasize SMART Goals on This Website
This website is about healing, rebuilding, and helping people move forward without destroying their self-worth along the way.
Many people who find this site are already:
overwhelmed
discouraged
burned out
healing from trauma or illness
afraid of failing again
SMART goals give those people a safe place to start.
They shift the focus from:
big pressure
to
small progress
From:
self blame
to
self understanding
Choosing the Right Tool Matters
If you were buying a product, you would want to know how it works, what it protects you from, and whether it fits your needs.
Goal setting is no different.
Regular goals assume you have unlimited energy and motivation.
SMART goals assume you are human.
That is why they work.
Final Thought
You do not need better goals.
You need goals built better.
SMART goals are not restrictive.
They are supportive.
And for people who are healing, rebuilding, or starting over, that makes all the difference.
Explore Our Services
If you want to explore SMART goals designed for real life, start with the SMART Goals welcome page or choose one category that fits your current season. And if you need support breaking goals into steps that work for you, Neighbor Chat and Next Step Services are here to help.
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