How to Set Goals Like a Therapist
As spring awakens in Northern Michigan, we all start to feel an uplift from that seasonal depression. Spring represents new beginnings and transformation. So, what better time to take a look at ourselves and ask what areas of life need a fresh bloom?
Exiting the wintering stage of coping brings a pep to my step. Feeling the sun come out, the sparkle on the lake and a new zest to what life is really about. To me, mental health management is about reflection and motivation. What in your life helps drive you out of survival mode and into thriving mode? Here’s 5 tips to goal setting like a therapist!
Make it SMART!
A SMART goal is an acronym to help guide someone to establish criteria for effective goal setting. Goal exploration is one of my favorite parts of therapy with clients, because it is so vast and full of opportunity. Where I see most people struggle, is when the thrill of goal setting settles and it is time to put the idea into action. It can be intimidating to know where to start. So, let this mnemonic be a breakdown to making your goals a reality.
SMALL- Typically the goal starts too big and becomes too overwhelming, leading people to abandon it. Start small and specific. This first leg is meant to encourage motivation and focus. When a person has a strong motivation to why, the how becomes much more doable. Small and specific starts with the “W” questions; What? Where? Who? Why? When?
MEASURABLE- It is important for the goal to be measurable. Find a way to measure the specifics, in order to see the progress or lack of. Checking in on progress helps fuel focus and a sense of accomplishment when a person can cross off items on the to-do list. An example of this is questions like, how much? How long? Or how many?
ATTAINABLE- To be successful, the next criteria is for the goal to be attainable and realistic. It is disheartening to create a goal for oneself that is outside of your skillset or abilities.
RELEVANT- The goal must be relevant to you and you alone. Making a goal for the benefit or on behalf of others in your life, defeats the purpose of focus and motivation for yourself. It can be motivating to work towards something that will benefit the people in your lives, but the most critical driving factor to success is when your goal is truly important to you. And why is it important to you? The end result of the goal reignites that focus and the WHY to get through the HOW.
TIMELY- The goal should be achievable within a reasonable time frame to be successful. Give yourself a deadline for self accountability, within reason. This time factor can be flexible, but it serves as an important stepping stone towards triumph.
To conclude, SMART goals are a helpful parameter for taking a more intentional approach in your life. Prioritize your aspirations and spend time reflecting on these five areas to find more success in achieving your goals. Therefore changing your life! As your hibernation thaws and your motivation to new habits/changes blossoms; close your resting season with a welcome of sunshine and summer on the horizon.
Get Inspired,
Lauren
