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SMART Goals vs. 90-Day Goals.

Which Drives Better Results?

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Why Most Goals Fail

Most people set goals with the best intentions—yet a few weeks in, the motivation fades. Sound familiar? Maybe you’ve promised yourself to get fit, save more money, or finally start that side hustle, only to watch those goals collect dust by February.


You’re not alone. In fact, studies show 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail within two months. Why? Because the goals we set are often either too vague (“I want to be healthier”) or too far away (“I’ll save $10,000 this year”) to stay exciting.


That’s where goal-setting frameworks come in. Two of the most popular are SMART goals and 90-day goals—but they work in different ways. Which one drives better results? Let’s find out.


What Are SMART Goals?


SMART is an acronym for a time-tested framework that makes goals concrete:


  • Specific: The goal is clear and well-defined.

  • Measurable: You can track progress and know when it’s done.

  • Achievable: The goal is realistic, not a fantasy.

  • Relevant: It aligns with your bigger vision.

  • Time-Bound: It has a deadline.


👉 Example: Instead of saying “I want to save money,” a SMART goal would be: “I will save $1,200 in 6 months by setting aside $200 each month.”


Strengths: SMART goals give clarity and structure.

Weaknesses: They can feel rigid, and when the deadline is too far away, motivation often dips.


What Are 90-Day Goals?


A 90-day goal is a focused objective you commit to for just three months. Why 90 days?


  • It’s long enough to create real change.

  • It’s short enough to maintain momentum.

  • It fits the natural rhythm of a quarter—used in business, sports, and productivity science.


👉 Example: “In the next 90 days, I will save $1,200 by cutting dining out in half and setting up an automatic transfer of $400/month into savings.”


Strengths: Urgent, momentum-driven, highly motivating.

Weaknesses: Can feel broad or vague if not written with detail.



Lisa’s Story: From Overwhelmed to Focused

Lisa wanted to get fit. At first, she set a SMART goal: “Lose 20 pounds in a year by exercising 4 times a week and eating 1,500 calories daily.”


It looked great on paper—but after three months, the finish line felt too far away. She got discouraged and stopped tracking.


When Lisa reframed her approach as a 90-day SMART goal, everything changed:

  • Run 3x a week for 90 days.

  • Track calories daily in her planner.

  • Aim to lose 8 pounds in 90 days.


By Day 90, she not only hit her target—she built a habit she could sustain.

The Secret: Combine Them


The truth is, you don’t have to pick one. The most effective approach is to combine SMART goals with a 90-day timeframe.


👉 Instead of: “I want to be healthier.”

Try: “For the next 90 days, I will run 3 times per week, track my meals daily, and increase my mileage by 10% each month.”


This way, you have the clarity of SMART and the urgency of 90 days—a formula that keeps you consistent.

Quick Action Checklist: Try It Today


Want to see how this works in real life? Here’s a simple plan:


✅ Write down one goal you’ve been putting off.

✅ Reframe it into a SMART statement.

✅ Apply the 90-day limit.

✅ Break it into weekly steps.

✅ Track progress daily in your planner.


Do this today, and you’ll already be ahead of where you were yesterday.

How the 90-Day Planner Helps

The ThisIsMyEra 90-Day Planner is designed to bring these two systems together:


  • SMART goal worksheets to define objectives clearly.

  • A 90-day structure to keep momentum high.

  • Weekly and daily layouts to break goals into actionable steps.


👉 Want to stop setting goals you abandon? Grab your 90-Day Planner here — your accountability partner for turning ideas into results.

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Free Resource: SMART + 90-Day Goal Template

To make this even easier, we created a free SMART + 90-Day Goal Worksheet you can download today. It walks you through writing one SMART goal and mapping it into a 90-day plan—so you’re not just inspired, you’re ready to take action.


Download Your SMART + 90-Day Goal Template

The Next 90 Days Will Pass Anyway


SMART goals give you clarity. 90-day goals give you momentum. Together, they’re the most powerful system for creating lasting change.


The next 90 days will pass no matter what. The only question is: will you be wishing you started, or celebrating what you achieved?