Smart Reflecting

Claudia Graf

MA, LPC

6/9/2026

Temperatures are getting warmer; thunderstorms are an all-summer occurrence; most days are thunderstorm days; Memorial Day has passed, and we have unofficially made it to Southern summer. It seems like it was just New Year's, when we enjoyed the rare snow, and now half the year has already gone by.

Maybe you have started the new year with some personal goals for 2026—be it for your physical or mental health, work, your relationships, finances, hobbies, or spiritual life. Now is a good time to take stock and evaluate your progress. If you are anything like me, you might tend to set unrealistically high goals and then give up altogether when you are unable to achieve them. But it is never too late to start fresh.

The acronym SMART can help in formulating realistic goals. Is your goal specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-based? If your goal is too vague, like ‘getting healthier,’ make it more specific, such as ‘going for a 30-minute walk 3x/week.' Such a goal is more measurable and might be more achievable than ‘working out for 3 hours every day.' If your goals follow the SMART format, you will be more likely to see lasting change in your habits and feel accomplished.

It is also helpful to have some accountability to stay on track. Tell a friend about your goal and ask them to follow up with you and encourage you, or better yet, ask them to join you on your walk, for instance. And remember, consistency is key when it comes to changing habits. Some effort is better than none. Even if you end up only walking for 10 minutes because you are tired, that is better than not going at all, and it is progress. Do not forget to be kind to yourself and to formulate doable goals that can get you to where you want to be in baby steps—slowly but surely.