Why SMART Goals Don’t Work

What’s Wrong with Traditional Goal-Setting

Welp, it’s the beginning of January. You know what that means—the start of a new year brings a new wave of enthusiasm for setting fresh goals, and the world comes together to say, “This time, I’ll do it!”

Yet data shows that only 10% of New Year’s resolutions survive beyond the first few months. One underlying reason is that we often frame our goals through a negative filter—focusing on fixing problems or improving shortcomings rather than building on what’s already going well. 

This perspective tends to make small setbacks feel like major failures, which can lower motivation and derail progress. Adopting a more positive lens brings renewed energy and increases the likelihood of sustaining momentum throughout the year.

Recognizing the Negative Filter

Traditional resolutions often highlight what’s “wrong” with us, emphasizing our perceived flaws or bad habits. When we say, “I must exercise more,” “I need to stop spending money,” or “I should be happier,” we are setting goals that are rooted in self-criticism. These statements focus on fixing where we think we are broken rather than recognizing our strengths or creating growth opportunities.

This negative framing can feel overwhelming because it makes success seem like an all-or-nothing proposition. If we stumble—by skipping a workout or procrastinating on a task—it’s easy to see that as a failure, which can sap motivation. Instead of encouraging progress, these negative goals often make us feel stuck, reinforcing a cycle of guilt and self-doubt.

What if, instead of dwelling on what’s “wrong,” we reframed our intentions to focus on what’s possible? 

Shifting from a deficit mindset to one of positivity creates goals that feel empowering rather than punishing. For instance, replace “I need to stop procrastinating” with “I will dedicate 10 focused minutes each morning to my most important task.” Or transform “I have to lose weight” into “I’ll spend five minutes a day moving my body in ways that feel good.”

This shift improves not only how goals feel but also how achievable they become. Small, positive steps make goals manageable and build momentum. It’s no longer about “fixing” yourself—it’s about growing, learning, and moving forward, one purposeful action at a time.

Standard SMART Goals …Are Not

SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely—have long been a traditional goal-setting framework, particularly in the business world. On paper, they seem like a logical roadmap to crafting actionable and structured goals. 

However, research suggests that SMART goals may not be as effective as we think. A large-scale study about New Year’s resolutions from December 2020 found that participants taught how to use SMART goals reported less success with their resolutions than those who used alternative methods.

Why does this happen? Part of the issue lies in the framework itself. Take “Achievable” and “Realistic,” for example. These criteria often feel redundant. If a goal is achievable, isn’t it already realistic? This is why many people have changed “Realistic” to “Relatable or Relevant.” But it still doesn’t make sense – 1) Because if something is to be achievable, it stands to reason that the goal should be realistic/relatable/relevant. And 2) It fails because “Achievable and Realistic” are not innovation enablers. Dare I say, they are encouraging the status quo. SMART goals do not exactly embrace stretch goals or thinking out of the box. 

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Your Goals are About Emotions, Not Robots

Another limitation of SMART goals is their focus on structure over mindset. While it’s important for goals to be clear and measurable, the framework doesn’t address the emotional and psychological factors influencing follow-through. 

Goals framed solely around metrics can feel like a tic box exercise disconnected from purpose or personal motivation. For example, “Lose 20lbs in 2025.” This might be measurable and time-bound, but it lacks the inspiration and clarity of purpose that encourage meaningful action.

With a simple reframe, “Lose 20lbs in 2025” becomes more aspirational: “Prioritize my health by preparing nutritious meals and moving my body three times a week.” 

This version shifts the focus from the negative pressure of losing weight to the more emotionally positive goal of improving health and well-being. Emphasizing small, actionable steps feels more encouraging and empowering, making it easier to stay motivated and committed over time.

To truly set goals that drive change, we need to move beyond the rigidity of frameworks like SMART. While structure is helpful, it’s not enough. A goal should not just be “realistic” or “measurable” but energizing and purpose-driven. This means anchoring goals in what matters to us, using language that inspires, and ensuring that our actions feel intentional and fulfilling.

Practical Tips to Bring Positivity to Goals

Transforming how we set goals isn’t just about the goals themselves; it’s about cultivating a mindset that supports and strengthens the journey toward achieving them. We can maintain momentum and stay motivated by focusing on positivity and purposeful action. Here are some practical tips, with examples to show these ideas in action:

  1. Reframe Negative Statements into Positive Intentions

    Instead of saying, “I need to stop being disorganized,” try reframing it as “I will dedicate 10 minutes each day to tidying my desk.” This small, positive action shifts the focus from what’s wrong to what’s possible, making the goal feel achievable and uplifting.

  2. Visualize Success Through Small Wins

    Let’s say your goal is to create better online courses. Instead of aiming for “a flawless, award-winning design,” focus on smaller wins, like “Create one highly interactive activity for an upcoming course.” Celebrate that accomplishment to build confidence and encourage steady progress.

  3. Surround Yourself with Positive Influences

    If your goal is to improve communication, engage with colleagues who model great interpersonal skills. Create a goal to join a peer group or a networking event to connect with others who inspire you to grow.

  4. Practice Mindfulness and Gratitude

    For example, if you’re working on becoming more organized, take a few moments each day to appreciate what you’ve accomplished so far. Reflect on how even small steps, like updating your calendar, have made a difference in your day.

  5. Embrace Growth and Experimentation

    If your goal is to stay up to date on new technologies, commit to attending a webinar or testing out a free trial of a trending tool each quarter. For example, you might explore a new tech platform (like Mentimeter or Aha slides) to see how it supports interactive features. Even if you decide not to adopt it, the experience keeps you informed and ready to recommend tools or techniques that could enhance your work. 
  1. Set Intentions, Not Just Goals

    Instead of simply saying, “I want to increase learning engagement by 15%,” set an intention like, “I want to create a learning environment where people feel valued and excited to participate.” This reframing makes your efforts feel more meaningful and human-focused.

  2. Create a Positive Environment for Yourself

    Let’s say you’re working on staying productive. A clutter-free workspace, a motivating playlist, or inspirational quotes can help you create a physical and mental environment that supports your goals.

By anchoring your goals to positive, purposeful actions and celebrating your progress along the way, you can transform the goal-setting process into an inspiring and rewarding experience. It’s not about striving for perfection but creating consistent, meaningful steps that lead to lasting success.

Turning Goals into Positive, Purposeful Action

Goal-setting doesn’t have to feel like a daunting list of obligations or a reminder of what you need to “fix.” By shifting to a mindset rooted in positivity and purposeful action, you can transform the way you approach your goals—making them more achievable, inspiring, and fulfilling.

The key is to start small, focus on what you can do, and reframe your intentions in a way that feels empowering. Celebrate progress, experiment without fear, and align your actions with what truly matters to you. When you set goals this way, you’re not just creating a plan—you’re building momentum toward lasting growth and meaningful change.

This year, let’s leave behind the pressure of unrealistic resolutions and embrace goals that energize and motivate. With a positive mindset and intentional steps, 2024 can be the year you set yourself up for success, one purposeful intention at a time.

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Shannon Tipton

Shannon Tipton

As Owner of Learning Rebels, Shannon Tipton is a skilled learning strategist, content developer and International speaker. Shannon has over 20 years of leadership experience developing successful learning strategies and infrastructures for training departments within organizations in North America, Europe and Korea.

Shannon works with people and organizations to develop learning solutions that brings actual business results. Recognized as bringing real-world expertise into the learning field, Shannon integrates technologies and social learning tools to strengthen workplace alignment, enhance collaboration and increase learning connectivity.

As author of “Disruptive Learning” Shannon frequently speaking at conferences across North America and Europe and ranks as one of the top 100 L&D influencers on Twitter (@stipton).

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