January is New Year's resolution season, and over the years, I've come to appreciate it more than I used to—which is funny, because the data shows that the older you get, the less likely you are to make resolutions. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, only about one in five adults over 50 made a resolution this year, compared with nearly half of young adults. Yet every January, I see clients of all ages using this time to take stock, refine their financial plans, and recommit to their goals with renewed energy. [1]
That got me curious about what really makes a resolution stick. After years of watching people succeed—or stall and lose their resolve—I've started looking at goal setting differently, adding a twist to the usual SMART approach we all know so well.
Growth Mindset for SMART Goal Setting
You might think building wealth is just about having the "right" investments or strategies. But it's also about learning, adapting, and staying resilient when the market shifts or life throws you a curveball. So, before setting your goals this year, take some time to make sure you're in the right headspace first.
At INT, we highly recommend starting with embracing a growth mindset. [2]
Having a growth mindset means believing that your abilities, knowledge, and skills aren't fixed. They can be developed through effort, curiosity, and persistence. When you believe you can learn and improve, every challenge becomes an opportunity rather than a roadblock.
It's a simple but powerful idea, and it shapes how we approach financial planning and how we guide our clients in goal setting and progress.
The traditional SMART framework—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound—gives structure to your goals. It's a great foundation because it turns good intentions into clear, actionable steps.
Here's how that works:
- Specific: "Save more money" becomes "Increase my 401(k) withholding by 3%" or "Transfer $200 to my savings account each month."
- Measurable: Defining how you'll track progress so you know when you've hit the mark would be something like, "Pay off $5,000 of credit card debt by year-end" or "Grow my emergency fund to cover three months of expenses."
- Attainable: Target what stretches you without setting yourself up for failure. "Save $6,000 toward a vacation this summer" is more motivating than aiming to double your net worth in six months, because it's far more likely within reach.
- Realistic: Align your goals with your actual financial capacity and lifestyle. Window shopping ultra-luxury dream homes on Zillow can be fun, but dwelling in fantasy land when goal-setting does you a disservice. You might want to look for a solid investment on the next rung of the property ladder this year.
- Time-Bound: Give each goal a clear deadline. "Increase my retirement contributions by April" or "Review and rebalance my portfolio by the end of each quarter" creates accountability and helps turn intentions into action.
SMART goals define the path. But what they don't address is the mindset that keeps you walking it.
That's where a growth mindset comes in. It's what helps you stay motivated when the initial excitement fades, or when you miss a milestone and feel tempted to quit. People with a growth mindset don't see setbacks as failures but as feedback. If something isn't working, they adjust and keep going. That's just as true for money goals as it is for fitness goals, career development, or anything else you have on your New Year's resolutions list.
SMART goals provide the structure, and a growth mindset provides the staying power.
Together, they create a system that supports both progress and resilience. When you believe your financial confidence can grow with effort and learning, you're far more likely to stick with the process, even when it's uncomfortable.
In practice, that means setting a specific target, tracking your progress, and giving yourself permission to learn along the way. If you fall short one month, you don't abandon the plan; you analyze what went wrong, make a tweak, and try again. That approach not only builds better habits but also deepens your confidence that you can grow, improve, and achieve your goals.
SMARTer Goals are SMART ASS Goals
The SMART framework is great, but I've always felt it leaves out a little something. It works well for people who are naturally driven and organized—the kind who map out 5-, 3-, and 1-year goals and systematically check them off.
But in my experience, most people are just trying to manage the day-to-day without constantly thinking about where they're headed or how each decision fits into the bigger picture.
Take this SMART goal, for example:
"I'd like to pay an extra $300 per paycheck toward my student loans each month in 2026."
It's clear and specific, but it lacks accountability. If you don't follow through, who's going to notice? Probably no one but you. And when that happens, it's easy to feel discouraged, like you've let yourself down before you've even really started.
That's why I think it's time to upgrade the framework. Instead of just setting a SMART goal, how about setting a SMART ASS goal?
We start with SMART and add three more elements that make all the difference: Accountability, Situation, and Support.
Accountability
Kick things up by adding something to help you stay on track. Having stakes on the line or someone to report to increases follow-through and makes the process a lot more fun. I've heard some creative (and sometimes hilarious) ideas over the years:
- Weight loss: Send your accountability partner your "before" picture and tell them to post it if you skip the gym too many times in a row.
- Business goals: Write a check to a politician or organization you can't stand, and have your accountability partner mail it if you miss your target.
- Swear jar: A classic. Drop a dollar into a jar every time you use profanity. The money adds up quickly and can later go toward a group treat or charitable donation.
In my wife's family, we read our resolutions from the previous year aloud every New Year's Day. You either proudly say, "I did that," or laugh and admit, "Not even close." That little bit of public accountability has always motivated me.
Situation
Set yourself up for success by shaping your environment. Remove friction and make good choices easier. James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, puts it perfectly: "New goals don't deliver new results. New lifestyles do. And a lifestyle is a process, not an outcome."
If you stop at the gas station every morning for a soda, try taking a different route. If grocery store impulse buys derail your budget, try ordering online. When I had a big weight loss goal, I bought an old-school alarm clock and set it across the room so I had to get up to turn it off. Removing the snooze option changed everything.
If your goal is financial, apply the same principle. Set reminders to review your budget, or schedule a monthly subscription audit to cut what you don't use. Some people even try a "no-spend" month to reset priorities and see what really matters.
Support
It's tough to reach goals alone. In today's digital world, genuine connection can feel rare, but having a community that shares your goals provides accountability and motivation.
If you are struggling, there are always people ready to offer encouragement or advice. As Clear says, "Surround yourself with people who have the same goals as you. Rise together."
Sometimes that also means creating distance from relationships that hold you back. I've heard countless stories from people in recovery who had to find entirely new friend groups because their old ones were tied to the habits they wanted to leave behind.
Knowing I wanted to lose 60-70 pounds after college, I joined Fast Fitness in Edwardsville. The workouts were great, but the community was even better.
I hit my weight-loss target, and I can tell you from experience that these last three elements took my goal-setting and pursuit experience to a new level. I didn't even start with the "SMART" part; I started with mindset and desire, and it was accountability, support, and the right situations that kept me on track. And that's what helped real, lasting change take hold.
A New SMART ASS Approach to Wealth Building
At their core, New Year's resolutions and goal-setting are really about hope—the belief that your actions today can create a better tomorrow.
New research from the University of Missouri ("M-I-Z! Z-O-U!") shows that hope isn't just wishful thinking; it's one of the strongest emotional forces linked to meaning, well-being, and even success. That's why at INT, we don't just help clients set SMART goals; we help them set SMART ASS goals that build momentum, confidence, and purpose along the way. Because when you combine structure, mindset, and support, your goals become a path toward lasting progress. [3]
Let's turn your financial goals into a clear, actionable plan, one that reflects your values, adapts with life, and keeps you moving forward. Schedule a time to talk, and we'll help you build a financial plan that supports lasting progress.
Sources:
- https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/01/29/new-years-resolutions-who-makes-them-and-why/
- https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/growth-mindset-vs-fixed-mindset
- https://showme.missouri.edu/2025/hope-is-the-key-to-a-meaningful-life-according-to-new-research/
Rob Clark, CFP®, is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional at INT Wealth Planning, serving upper-income professionals in the Greater St. Louis area. Rob specializes in simplifying complex financial decisions and creating tailored strategies for wealth accumulation and retirement planning. INT Wealth Planning focuses on helping clients get organized, make informed financial decisions, plan for retirement, and pursue financial confidence. Rob can be reached at (636) 777-4207, via email at rob@intwealthplanning.com, or online atwww.intwealthplanning.com.
This material has been edited with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools. The information presented is based on sources believed to be reliable and accurate at the time of publication. This material is for educational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views of the author, presenter, or affiliated organizations. It should not be construed as investment, tax, legal, or other professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your specific situation before making any decisions.
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