“Don’t allow your mind to tell your heart what to do. The mind gives up easily.”
– Paulo Coelho
You may be wondering why am I even tackling this topic when your life is in a mess, or it seems like it is. It may be in a mess because you let go of your goals. Or now you have to confront all these tasks that you should be doing, and you know that you have no system or way to deal with all these tasks.
Hmm…will you read what I have to have you read?
The process of goal setting is very basic. When you have more than one task that you need or want to do, then you set goals. What do you do now? When your task is finished or at a clear break, then move on to your next task.
How you decide which order you place your tasks in is important if you want to achieve something meaningful. I promise I will give you my process in a little bit.
Setting goals is an important part of your recovery process. It is an important and powerful process when you are considering your ideal future. By having something to work toward, you can stay motivated and focused on your rehabilitation.
There is a huge amount of information on the internet about setting goals. Whether you are brand new to goal setting or you’ve consistently set goals in the past and are looking for a more effective process, this information can be confusing, overwhelming, or downright misleading.
Let’s step back a bit and examine the basics of goals and the outcomes you want to achieve.
What is a goal anyway? A goal is an action or actions that you aim for a desired outcome or outcomes. A goal requires intentional action toward an outcome. Without a goal, you live an unexamined life, which according to Socrates is not worth living. With a goal, you fly like an arrow, straight to your goal or target.
At the Centre of Translational Neuroscience at the University of Oregon, Elliot Berkman has a great definition of a goal. He says, “a goal is a detour from the path of least resistance.”
Why bother with a goal, especially a written goal? If you want to accomplish something, you must set a goal for it. Setting a goal helps to give you direction, put you on track, and develop a level of commitment to what you want to achieve. Writing down your goal takes you a step further from wishful thinking to taking action. By writing your goal down, you are sending a signal to your brain about your commitment to achieving the set goal. This is why it is an important step.
Why making your goals are important? One of the main reasons why making your goals is so important is because it gives you focus. When you have a clear target to aim for, you’re much more likely to stay motivated and on track. Plus, knowing what you need to do in order to achieve your goal can help you avoid getting sidetracked or wasting time on activities that aren’t relevant.
Another reason why making your goals is so important is because it allows you to get crystal clear on what you need to do in order to see the momentum you want. This can be really helpful if you’re feeling stuck or like you’re not making any progress. By breaking down your goal into smaller steps, you can start to see tangible results, which can help keep you motivated.
Finally, one last reason why making your goals is so important is because it makes us feel good. Achieving a goal gives you and me a sense of accomplishment and pride, and it can also boost our confidence. And when you feel good about yourself, you are more likely to stick with your recovery plan and see it through to the end.
