Tips for creating goals

• Small decisions can have a great impact that help you work towards your goal. Remember that your goals are your road maps and your direction to success in life. Without them, you can lose your way. Although you can always retrace your steps, you might not have the time, opportunity, energy or resources you once had when you could have made your goals happen one by one.
• Listen to people who you respect and ask for their advice. Remember, you don’t have to like the person to respect them.
• Being active in life is most effective. Try visualizing the outcome at a time in the future. It will become apparent that to set definite time in the future is obtainable. That would be the “when”. The “How” comes with gathering information about resources and education. We often have to correct our course but at the same time keep a focus on our vision or dream. To began a journey starts with a step but it is just as important to know where you want to go as well as to have a specific plan about how you will get there. The more specific the steps, the better. Keep in mind that when you start the journey you will most likely  encounter objections and self doubt. That is why developing the habit of the daily motivational pep talk can help you to stay focused.
• Make your goals SMART. S = specific, M = measurable, A = achievable, R = realistic, T = time bound
• Examples:  Specific: lose weight

Measurable: 5 kilograms

Achievable = expecting to lose 10 kilos in one week is not achievable

R = realistic – lose 5 kilos over next month instead of losing 5 kilos in one week

T = time bound..lose 5 kilos over one month

As specific and with an easy way to see whether you have achieved the goal.

Goals, short term and long term help to give us purpose in life. Always have something to work towards, it can stave off depression and help you to feel more focused in life. Make sure the goals are personal to you and not goals that others wish you to achieve.

Mandy X

Author: Mandy Kloppers

Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.