Broken Goals: Spot the SMART Flaw on a Cool-Down Walk

A pair walk around a loop with eight cards showing badly written goals ("I want to get fit", "run more"). At each stop, the pair spots which SMART letter is missing and rewrites the goal while they keep walking.

How to play

1. SMART recap: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound (1 min).
2. Walk with stops, first half: pairs go cone to cone, read the goal, mark the missing letter and write a fixed version on the back (3 min).
3. Second half: pairs turn around and review two cards already fixed by other pairs, adding an improvement if needed (2 min).
4. Walking circle debrief: three pairs read their best rewrite and the group says whether it is now SMART (2 min).

Rules

• Walk at a strolling pace; no running between cones.
• One pair per card at a time; if it is taken, move on to the next.
• Rewrites focus on performance or habits, never on weight or looks.

Variations

Adaptations

• Visual impairment: large-print cards or a partner reads them aloud.
• Limited mobility: cones go on a short, flat loop, or the cards rotate while the pair stays put.
• Writing difficulties: say the rewrite out loud and the partner writes it.

Learning goals

• Bring the heart rate down with an active walk.
• Recognize the parts of a SMART goal.
• Turn vague goals into goals you can actually train for.

Equipment for a class of 25

• case cards: 8
• cones: 8
• pencils: 15

Teacher tip

Make the cards once and laminate them; they last all year. Slip in a looks-based goal on purpose so you can talk about why it is a poor target.

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