There is literally no motivational mechanism with as much research to support its efficacy on behavior as there is for goal-setting. The SMART criteria is fine

There is literally no motivational mechanism with as much research to support its efficacy on behavior as there is for goal-setting. The SMART criteria is fine I guess, but it's missing one thing: make your goal behavioral. Further, if your goal is distal (e.g., lose 15 pounds), then supplement it with proximal (e.g., eat salad for lunch three times this week) goals. Goals work. Goal-setting works.