LTB Podcast #431 Beyond SMART Goals - Supporting Clients Who Just Want To Feel Better
Nov 22, 2025
Claire and Maggie dive into the challenges of working with clients who lack specific goals, emphasizing that it's okay for them to simply want to feel better. They discuss the limitations of SMART goals and how intrinsic motivation often trumps assigned targets. The duo highlights the importance of short-term, achievable goals and adapting coaching styles to match individual needs. They also explore the significance of enjoyment and adherence as markers of progress, fostering a more personalized and supportive coaching environment.
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SMART Goals Aren't Universal
- Trainers are taught to demand specific SMART goals, but clients often don’t have or disclose those.
- Claire and Maggie observe this expectation can produce superficial goals that don't motivate clients.
Feeling Better Can Be The Goal
- Many clients come because training makes them feel better rather than to hit a numeric target.
- Maggie and Claire prefer encouraging sustainable intrinsic motivation over forcing measurable goals.
Jump Rope As A Gateway
- Maggie described people who tried jump rope because it looked fun and quickly lost interest.
- That 'way in' helped them start exercising even if the specific goal vanished.