
I also predict that, with a busy schedule and family, I might not always be able to complete an hour a day of exercise. At this point, you will help your clients identify any potential obstacles, barriers, or high-risk situations that may threaten their progress.Įxample: I anticipate that the desire to participate in social activities will impact my plan to achieve my goal. Step 5: Identifying & Overcoming ObstaclesĪs with anything, obstacles can and will present challenges. I will purchase a kitchen scale, smaller plates and bowls, and measuring tools to help me with portion control. I will reward myself with a massage upon achievement of my goal. Now, state the final completed goal in paragraph form incorporating each of the elements above.Įxample: I will lose 15 pounds in 15 days by committing to exercise 6 days a week for an hour each day and committing to monitoring and controlling my portion sizes. Use the graphic below to help you piece together what the final goal will look like. This is the fun part! Compile what you learned and discussed from the previous three steps. See the graphic below for a few examples.
Create a list of tools and external resources that may help your clients along the way to achieving the objective. Just because an individual sets a personally meaningful goal does not mean he or she must go it alone or that he or she will be considered successful only if that goal is accomplished in isolation from outside or supportive resources.
Brainstorm places, people, products, and practices that can provide support toward goal achievementĮxternal resources are not and should not be limited to physical “things”, but could and should include places, people, and practices. In other words, let’s also consider the External Resources needed to support the desired outcome. However, I encourage you to take it one step further – make the goal SMART- ER. Standard goal setting methods encourage Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Reward-based, and Time-defined statements. Step 3: The SMART-ER Method for Personal Trainer Goal Setting Write down the behaviors in the form of behavior goals using the SMART-ER Goal Setting method outlined in step 3. A mind map or webbing technique works well here. Discuss/brainstorm behaviors with the client. Referring back to the earlier example, I want to lose weight in 15 weeks, behaviors that relate to this goal might include the client’s commitment to exercise (how often, intensity, etc.) and his/her dietary practices (portion control, fruits and veggie servings, etc.). Ask the client to write down the outcome goal.Īfter the outcome goal is discussed and refined, it is your job to help shape the outcome goal by working with the client to identify behaviors (those actions within the client’s control) that aid in achieving the intended outcome. Summarize the discussion verbally to the client to check for accuracy in understanding. What motivates them? What is the significance? Is it to get back in shape after having a baby? Is it to “wow” at a class reunion? Is it externally driven by a doctor as a result of poor blood work results? What is the emotional attachment to their desires? Find out all you can by asking open-ended questions and using motivational interviewing techniques. Most will come to you with loosely defined goals (such as a non-specific outcome goal) and it is your job to find out the why of the outcome goal. Start by having an open and honest conversation with your clients. For example, “I will exercise 6 days each week for the next 15 weeks.” Step 1. Think of an outcome goal as a long-term statement or the main outcome or objective to be achieved. For example, “I want to lose weight in 15 weeks.” In contrast, behavior goals are statements that outline steps to achieving the outcome.
In other words, outcome goals are often beyond the client’s control whereas behavior is within the client’s control. weight loss, increased muscle mass, etc.), we miss the opportunity to encourage the development of behaviors that contribute to successfully achieving the desired outcome.
If we only focus on the outcome our clients want to achieve (i.e. When it comes to setting goals with clients, it is important to identify both outcome and behavior goals. The steps discussed throughout this post will provide you with the guiding principles necessary to set and achieve quality goals. To assist your clients in the goal setting process you must be adept at applying it to your own life. Goal setting is a powerful tool, if it is applied and executed appropriately.