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Self-improvement often begins with a tough question: Where do I start? Like many of you, I’ve wrestled with this over and over. Should I focus on my health? Are my finances the most pressing issue? What about my relationships or my productivity? The interconnectedness of these areas make it tempting to want to improve everything at once.
This internal debate can be paralyzing. That’s why I was so excited to discover Michael Hyatt’s book, Your Best Year Ever. Hyatt offers a comprehensive approach to personal growth, acknowledging that life isn’t about excelling in just one or two areas. Instead, he views life as a multifaceted system made up of 9 interconnected domains: body, mind, spirit, love, family, community, money, work, and hobbies.
Hyatt’s insight is clear: these domains influence one another, so neglecting one can impact the others. But he also emphasizes that some areas may need more attention than others depending on where you are in life. His solution? Begin with an honest assessment. On his website, you can take the LifeScore Assessment to measure where you currently stand in these domains and identify where to focus first.
Hyatt’s book builds on a 5-step plan to help you achieve your most important goals. The first two steps are foundational, helping you shift your mindset and prepare for success. Hyatt begins by challenging readers to confront their limiting beliefs – those thoughts that hold us back from pursuing our potential. He stresses that achieving your best year ever starts with adopting a growth mindset (an interesting topic that I plan on exploring further in later posts) and believing that change is possible. The second step focuses on reflection and closure. Hyatt argues that to fully engage with the future, you must learn from the past. This involves celebrating wins, understanding what worked well, and acknowledging areas for improvement.
In this post I want to highlight his goal-setting framework, which is both practical and transformative.
The SMARTER Goals Framework
Hyatt has modernized the traditional SMART goals framework, evolving it into SMARTER goals. This updated approach makes goal-setting more dynamic, achievable, and personally meaningful. If you’re unfamiliar with SMART goals, don’t worry—I’ll walk you through each letter in the SMARTER framework.
- Specific
Your goals should be crystal-clear, leaving no room for ambiguity. When your goals are specific, you know exactly what you’re working toward. The more precise your goal, the more actionable it becomes.
Example: Instead of saying, “Learn Photoshop,” a more specific goal would be, “Complete Lindsay Marsh’s Udemy course, ‘Graphic Design Masterclass.’” - Measurable
Goals need to be measurable so you can track your progress and celebrate milestones. Having a clear target allows you to see how far you’ve come and keeps you motivated.
Example: Replace “Save money” with “Save $5,000 for a down payment.” - Actionable
Great goals are built around action, what you are going to do. They should focus on what you’ll do, starting with strong, actionable verbs. Avoid vague phrases like “be” or “have” and opt for verbs like “write,” “finish,” or “eliminate.”
Example: Instead of “Be more consistent in writing,” try, “Write two blog posts per week.” - Risky
This is where Hyatt departs from the traditional SMART framework. Instead of setting only realistic goals, he encourages you to set risky ones that push you out of your comfort zone. Growth happens when you challenge yourself, and a bit of risk makes your goals exciting. Hyatt argues that if we start by asking what’s realistic, we’re likely to set the bar too low. We rise to a challenge, but we hold back when it’s easy. We should set goals that stretch and challenge us.
Example: Aim for something ambitious like “Double my revenue in a year” instead of “Launch a new online business and generate $50,000 in revenue within the first 12 months.” - Time-bound
Deadlines are essential. Time-bound goals create urgency and help you avoid procrastination. Whether it’s a specific deadline, a streak target, or a frequency, having a timeline keeps you focused.
Example: “I want to read more” could happen over the next year or next ten years, but when I say “I want to read two books each month”, I’ve created not only a challenge but also a focus. - Exciting
Your goals should inspire and excite you. If you’re not personally invested in your goals, it’s hard to stay motivated when challenges arise. Excitement fuels commitment, so make sure your goals align with your passions and interests.
Example: If you love to travel, “Visit three new countries this year” might be more motivating than “Save money.” - Relevant
Finally, your goals must align with your current life circumstances, priorities, and values. A goal that fits your season of life is far more likely to succeed. For example, my goals as a parent of four will naturally look different from someone who doesn’t have kids. Relevance also means your goals should complement each other to avoid unnecessary conflict or friction.
When a goal is relevant to our season of life, our personal values, and our other goals, we improve our odds for success.
This is the final step in setting a SMARTER Goal, it’s a good way to gut-check your goals before committing to them.
Example: A goal like “Spend two hours every weekend with family” supports a priority of strengthening relationships.
Let’s talk about something cool I’ve discovered in the SMARTER Goal framework: the Risky criteria. It’s such a game-changer! Setting risky goals is like giving yourself a little nudge (or a big shove) out of your comfort zone. Sure, goals are about checking things off your list, but they’re also about who you become in the process. Growth is the real win. A great goal isn’t just about reaching the destination—it’s about the amazing journey that shapes you along the way.
And let’s face it, the best goals are the ones that make you a little uncomfortable. So, as you dream up your goals for the year, make them just a bit risky. Push yourself! Step into that growth zone, and you’ll be amazed at what happens.
Habit Goals vs. Achievement Goals
Now, let’s break down the two main types of goals you can set: habit goals and achievement goals.
When most people think of goals, they think of achievement goals—big, one-time wins like paying off a credit card, hitting a savings milestone, or finishing that novel you’ve been working on. These kinds of goals absolutely need deadlines to keep you on track.
But then there are habit goals—these are all about consistency and building routines. Think daily meditation, a weekly workout plan, or sending a sweet “thinking of you” text to a friend every month. Habit goals don’t have a single “end point.” Instead, they focus on starting a practice and sticking with it. The magic here is setting a start date and building momentum.
Even though habit goals aren’t about a finish line, they still need some time structure. Add details like:
- A start date
- How often you’ll do it (daily? weekly?)
- A time trigger (like “right after breakfast” or “before bed”)
- A streak target to keep the momentum going
Pro tip: Sticking with a habit can take longer than you think, and that’s where the “risk” sneaks in for habit goals. Maintaining a streak can feel like a challenge, but the rewards are so worth it.
I’ll be diving deeper into habits in future posts—so stay tuned! In the meantime, start thinking about goals that make you grow and habits that stick. You’ve got this!
How to Get Started
Hyatt (Your Best Year Ever) recommends limiting yourself to eight annual goals that align with your life, values, and ambitions. If you’re unsure where to begin, I highly recommend starting with the LifeScore Assessment. It will give you a clear overview of your strengths and the areas that need more attention. You’ll even receive a template to set your SMARTER goals and guidance on which domains to prioritize.
You’ll want a mix of achievement goals and habit goals in your life. The magic is knowing when and how to use each one.
Achievement goals are perfect for projects with a clear scope and a deadline—think “write my novel by November 1st” or “save $5,000 by next summer.” They’re about completing something specific within a set timeframe.
Habit goals, on the other hand, shine when you’re working toward something that doesn’t have a definite finish line. These are for ongoing practices like “exercise three times a week” or “journal every morning.”
Here’s a fun twist: you can actually use habit goals to crush your achievement goals. Let’s say you want to lose X pounds by June 30th (an achievement goal). Instead of mapping out every single step, you could focus on building a habit of exercising regularly. That habit becomes the foundation that helps you hit your target.
In short, achievement goals get you across the finish line, and habit goals keep you moving forward. Together, they’re a winning combo!
For me, the biggest challenge is narrowing my focus. I’m excited about improving everything all at once, but I’ve decided to start with three key domains. In my next post, I’ll share my first goal and an action plan to make it happen.
Let’s take this journey together. This year, we’re not just setting goals—we’re achieving them!
