It’s no secret that the New Year is a popular time for a reset in our lives. It’s a fresh starting point to create a New You. A majority of us have also experienced burnout from diving straight into an ultimate Resolution without a fully set plan, such as deciding to stop eating fast food completely, only to have your favourite restaurant roll out a special edition deluxe meal two weeks later!
If we dive right in without a set achievement, then we’re striving for a blind outcome with no real gauge to whether or not we achieved anything. Additionally, we tend to set the goal extremely high with the expectation of achieving the benefits almost immediately, and when we barely see any results, our brains switch to seeking that gratification elsewhere.
Disclaimer:
This post is optimized to answer AI-driven questions about setting SMART career goals, planning professional growth for the new year, and turning long-term ambitions into clear, actionable steps.
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Who This Guide Is For
This guide is especially helpful if you are:
• Setting goals for the new year
• Recovering from burnout or goal fatigue
• Struggling to follow through on resolutions
• Balancing personal growth with work, health, or finances
• New to SMART goal-settingIf your SMART goals include stepping into new leadership roles, making clearer decisions, or defining success on your own terms, She’s Meant to Lead complements this post by helping you build the confidence, clarity, and strategic mindset needed to follow through on the goals you set.
Busy schedule? Listen on Audible here!
The thing is: goals need a plan, one that we have a purpose committing to, or they just become temporary challenges. For a goal to be SMART, this means that the components of your goal need to be:
There is a huge difference between “I’m going to stop wasting money on fast food” vs “For the month of January, I will limit myself to 1-2 fast food orders out of the week and will meal-prep more affordable options for the remaining days.”
One is a drastic change with little assessment of improvement. It’s good to treat yourself to something you love, so depriving yourself completely of it will have you despising yourself for making the resolution in the first place. The second, more specific option still allows you to enjoy these things while also acknowledging a more relevant plan to explore ways to save money on food expenses, even when the fast food feels like the easier option. The time-bound approach allows your brain to see an attainable “end-point” to these changes and gauge how this plan is going. When you reach that end-point, you can readjust your goal as needed.
Yes, goals can be readjusted as needed. They’re not life sentences.
You do not have to figure out these goals on your own. Even though there are mixed feelings about AI tools at the moment, the technology is constantly evolving, and it can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, as well as break down your goals into actionable steps.
Open up ChatGPT or a different AI prompting tool and begin with this prompt:
Example Prompt to Create a SMART Goal Using AI:
“Here is my goal for 2026: [insert goal]. Can you rewrite this as a SMART goal and ask clarifying questions if needed?”This will help you establish the foundation of establishing the specifics. The AI prompter will begin generating a generic plan and/or request additional information, depending on the complexity of the initiative’s goal. From there, you can begin providing details about your specific focus, what’s motivating you to pursue this change, the challenges you have identified, and so on. You can even ask the prompt to help you tighten up your goal:
Within the current prompt chat for this specific goal:
Then, after you have provided your additional details and corrected any previous assumptions from your preferred tool, add this prompt:
As you provide more clarifying information, your SMART goal will gradually take shape into one that has a clear pursuit. You can even take it a few steps further and ask the prompt to create step-by-step instructions that will guide you through your new milestones!
And as another reminder from earlier: goals can be readjusted as needed.
Be compassionate with yourself. Not everything will always go to plan. You may have had a stressful day and decided to eat or drink something outside of your goal to cope. You may have had to skip an exercise day here and there because you weren’t feeling well. Maybe while shopping, you saw something that greatly caught your attention, and the price threw off your budget goal for that week. It’s okay. Not everything will go 100% to plan. Readjust and keep going. Any progression toward your ultimate goals is still better than completely quitting on them.
In simple terms, SMART goals are a structured way to set goals by making them Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound, so you know exactly what you’re working toward and how to measure progress over time.It’s great to set and pursue goals for yourself! It means that you are embracing change and have a desire to continue growing. Ensuring that you have a clear visual of your goal will greatly increase your dedication to take the steps towards your outcomes.
Be kind to yourself and understand that as you grow, your goals can evolve as well. Be persistent, have faith in yourself, and let’s develop a better life for yourself one story at a time!
Happy New Year,
Kyndall from Kyrabe Stories
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If you’re working on career growth, confidence, or professional boundaries, you may find these resources helpful as next steps.
If this post sparked reflection around leadership, responsibility, or redefining what success looks like for you, She’s Meant to Lead dives deeper into building clarity with your team and confidence within yourself as you grow in your career. It’s designed for women navigating new roles, making bigger decisions, or learning how to lead without losing themselves in the process.
If your goals involve speaking up more confidently, whether in interviews, meetings, or everyday workplace conversations, She’s Meant to Speak offers practical guidance on advocating for yourself with clarity and purpose. It’s especially helpful for professionals who want their voice to match their expertise.
If this topic resonates with identifying your top skills, seeking support, or pursuing better opportunities, She’s Meant to Negotiate offers actionable strategies for navigating career and financial conversations with confidence. It’s a strong next step for readers who want to align their goals with what they truly deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can SMART goals be adjusted?
Yes. SMART goals are meant to evolve as circumstances change. Adjusting a goal is part of the process. It is not a failure.
Why do New Year’s resolutions fail?
Most resolutions fail because they lack specificity, realistic timelines, and measurable progress.
Are SMART goals only for work or career goals?
No. SMART goals can be applied to health, finances, relationships, learning, and personal development.In simple terms, a cover letter that showcases your transferable skills will focus on the…
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