[327] How to Set Goals for 2025 Using the SMARTER Method
Struggling to set and follow your 2025 goals? In this episode of the English Made Simple Show, Milena shares the easiest goal-setting exercise using the SMARTER method. Learn how to set goals you’ll actually achieve, get inspired by real examples, and grab your free Goal-setting guide!
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Transcript (Set Goals for 2025 Using the SMARTER Method)
Hey guys! You’re listening to the English Made Simple Show! This is episode number 327, numero trescientos veintisiete.
Welcome back, amigos y amigas! It’s your host, Milena, here with another episode of the English Made Simple Show. Last time, we reflected on 2024 and its highlights. Today, let’s keep the momentum going and dive into planning for 2025. A new year brings fresh opportunities, so let’s make it count!
Today’s episode is very special. We’ll be talking about setting goals for 2025. And not just any goals – goals that are simple, achievable, and exciting! We’ll walk through an easy goal-setting exercise, and I’ll share some of my personal goals for 2025 to inspire you. Plus, there’s a free gift for you at the end of the episode: a guide called “Your Essential Guide to Goal-Setting” to help you plan your goals step by step.
So grab a cup of tea or coffee – whatever keeps you cozy – and let’s dive into today’s episode!
Why Most Goals Fail
Let’s start with a story about Sofia, one of our listeners. Sofia is a marketing professional and a non-native English speaker. Her dream is to become fluent in English by the end of 2025. Every January, she writes down a list of resolutions like: “Speak English confidently,” “Watch English movies without subtitles,” and “Take an English exam.” But by February, she feels overwhelmed and loses track. Does this sound familiar?
Why does this happen? Research shows that 92% of people don’t achieve their New Year’s resolutions because their goals are too vague or unrealistic. Sofia’s goal, “Speak English confidently,” is great, but it’s not specific. She doesn’t know what “confidently” means or how to measure her progress. This is where we can help!
The Simplest Goal-Setting Exercise
To make goal-setting easy and fun, I use a method called “SMARTER Goals.” SMARTER stands for:
- S: Specific
- M: Measurable
- A: Achievable
- R: Relevant
- T: Time-bound
- E: Evaluated
- R: Rewarded
Let’s help Sofia turn her vague goal into a SMARTER goal. Instead of saying, “Speak English confidently,” she could say:
- Specific: I want to improve my English fluency by practising speaking for 15 minutes every day.
- Measurable: I will track my progress using a journal where I record my practice.
- Achievable: I will join an online conversation class twice a month to practise with others.
- Relevant: This goal will help me feel more confident in meetings at work.
- Time-bound: I will reach this goal by December 31, 2025.
- Evaluated: I will review my progress every three months.
- Rewarded: When I achieve this goal, I’ll treat myself to a weekend getaway.
My Goals for 2025
Now, I want to share my own goals for 2025. Maybe they’ll inspire you to create your own!
- Learn to cook: Even though I’ve used Hello Fresh before, I want to learn how to cook properly by attending a physical cooking class. My goal is to join a weekly class at a local cooking school by March 2025 and prepare one new dish every week.
- Learn to swim: I’ve just moved close to an aquatic centre, and I’m excited to learn how to swim. I’m not a confident swimmer, but I plan to take beginner classes every Saturday starting in February. By June, my goal is to swim two laps without stopping.
- Keep healthy: After facing some health challenges in 2023 and 2024, I’m focusing on staying fit in 2025. My goal is to run a 5km fun run in McLaren Vale through the vineyards in June. To prepare, I’ll start running twice a week and build up gradually using a training app.
Idioms and Expressions Explained
While we’re setting goals, let’s learn a few idioms to keep you motivated:
- Rome wasn’t built in a day: Big achievements take time and effort, so be patient with your progress.
- Bite off more than you can chew: Don’t set too many goals at once; focus on one or two at a time.
- Keep your eye on the prize: Stay focused on your goal and don’t get distracted.
Wrapping It All Up
As we wrap up, here’s a quick summary:
- Use the SMARTER method to set clear and achievable goals.
- Start small and build up gradually.
- Celebrate your progress along the way.
Remember Sofia? She’s now practising English every day and has joined an online group where she speaks with other learners. She’s on track to achieve fluency by 2025 and feels more confident already.
What about you, amigos y amigas? What are your goals for 2025? Take a moment to write them down and share them with me on Instagram or via email.
Free Gift
To help you get started, I’ve created a free guide called “Your Essential Guide to Goal-Setting.” It’s a simple, step-by-step workbook to help you create and track your goals. Download it now at englishmadesimple.net/goals2025.
Thank you for joining me today. If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a friend or leave a review. Here’s to a successful and inspiring 2025! Hasta luego!
Link to downloadable: https://www.englishmadesimple.net/how-to-set-goals-for-2025
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