3 Easy SMART Goal Hacks to Make Goals Actually Stick

I’ve set hundreds of SMART goals in my life. I’ve even set a bunch of DUMB goals, dozens of backward goals, a handful of FAST goals, and even a few BHAGs. Heck, I’ve even written dozens of articles (and an ebook!) all about goal setting. So, I guess you can say I’ve done a lot of research into what makes a goal one that is actually achievable. But don’t worry, this isn’t yet another how-to guide for setting goals. This is a realistic look at why some goals stick, and others don’t… even if they follow all the “right” rules. 

Really Quick Review: What’s a SMART Goal?

I know. I literally just promised that this wasn’t going to be another overdone “how to set SMART goals” post, and here I am, backtracking. But this is about how to make SMART goal setting better, so I need to provide a quick refresher. I will make this as quick and painless as possible! OK? Great, let’s run down what SMART means in goal setting.

• S – Specific: The goal should be clear and unambiguous. Think about what you want to achieve, why it’s important, and how you’ll do it.
• M – Measurable: You need a way to track progress or know when you’ve hit the goal. Numbers are your friend here.
• A – Achievable: The goal should be realistic. Ambition is great, but setting yourself up for failure? Not so much.
• R – Relevant: It should matter to you (or your business). Every goal should ladder up to a bigger purpose.
• T – Time-bound: Give it a deadline. A goal without a timeline is just a wish.

Boom. Done. Now, we can move on to the good stuff.

SMART goal setting, or any goal-setting system for that matter, is great for getting to the crux of what you want to achieve and by when. But it’s just not enough. Goals need more than structure. They need meaning, emotion, and attention. These three things are the core of the three easy hacks I promised in the title. Let’s dive in.

These 3 Hacks Will Make Your SMART Goals Easier to Achieve

Setting the best goal in the world is pointless if you don’t follow through. And that’s exactly what these tricks will help with—making your goal one that is not only solid in its foundation but one that you’re highly motivated to achieve. 

1. Add the “Why” Behind Your Goal

If your goal doesn’t move you, it won’t move you forward. So, for every goal you set, ask yourself: “Why does this matter to me?” This might seem obvious, but you might be surprised how often we set and work towards goals without having any real clarity on why we’re doing it.

For example, let’s say your goal is: “Grow my business Instagram following by 25% in the next three months.”

Great, solid SMART goal. But why?

Without a “why,” it’s just a vanity metric. Now let’s add the purpose: “Because I want to build a stronger brand presence and attract more leads without relying solely on ads.”

Now we’re talking. It’s no longer just about numbers; it’s about growing in a way that feels authentic and sustainable to you. That’s the difference between a checkbox goal and a motivating one.

2. Layer in Emotion to Make Your Goal Personal

Humans are driven by emotion and what they care about, so as you’re writing down your SMART goals (you always write them down, right?), take a few minutes and add a second question to each SMART component:

• Specific: What does success feel like?
• Measurable: How will I celebrate when I hit the target?
• Achievable: Does this excite me or drain me?
• Relevant: Does this align with who I want to become?
• Time-bound: What does achieving this open up for me?

Don’t be afraid to get a little messy here. Logic might set the goal, but emotion gets you to the finish line.

If hitting a revenue milestone means you finally get to take your kids to Disney without stressing about the budget, write that down.

If finishing your portfolio site means you can stop avoiding LinkedIn messages and finally feel legit when you say, “I’m a designer,” write that down too.

Your goals aren’t just professional; they’re deeply personal. Let them reflect your hopes, your fears, your dreams, your stubborn streak. You’re not a robot. Let your goals feel human.

3. Find Your One Weird Trick That Makes It All Stick

I have a few weird personal rituals when I set a SMART goal. These rituals help make my goals real and motivate me. For example, sometimes I assign my goals a playlist and blast that music in my AirPods when I’m working on it.

Sometimes, I write a “future me” thank-you note for dedicating the time and energy to accomplishing this goal and what I hope will result from putting in the work.

I once taped a Post-it with my goal on my Keurig coffee maker and kissed it good morning every day. (Was that weird? Maybe. Did it work? Absolutely.)

The point is that your weird trick is yours alone. Maybe it’s writing your goal in lipstick on the bathroom mirror. Maybe it’s texting your best friend updates once a week. Maybe it’s creating a meme version of your goal and making it your phone wallpaper.

Whatever it is, make it yours. Ritual = meaning. Meaning = motivation.

The point is that SMART goal setting is a framework, not a precise formula. By taking it a step further and making it personal…you win. So, pick a goal you’ve been sitting on. Add a “why,” layer in some honest-to-goodness emotion, and try something weird that makes it real for you. SMART goals will get you started, but these SMART-ish tweaks? They’re what make your goals stick.