When setting goals some of us use the SMART approach. This is when we break down setting goals in a more manageable fashion.
The S stands for specific. For example, you might want to improve your physical fitness (run or walk 10k) or improve your grades at school. So, you have a specific outcome. The M is measurable, how are you going to measure the physical or improved grades? The A is achievable. For example, being realistic. Have you ran/ walked 5k or more? Or you are looking to improve the grade by more than two grades. Relevant. This again relates to the specific outcome and the benefit of the goal, for example reaching the 10k improves your fitness levels and good for mental health, obtaining a higher grade increases additional level of success to moving on to another level, provides more options. Finally, the T in SMART, how long are you given yourself to reach the goal. This circles back to being realistic, people can struggle, for example if you give yourself plenty of time to obtain your goal (where you might grow bored) or do you allow yourself a shorter amount of time which can cause unnecessary or unrealistic pressure.
This is where your therapist or the people around you can help. It is important to have a deadline in mind. One rule of thumb is the bigger the goal, give yourself six months and the smaller (less impact) up to three months.
Last year I decided to embark on extending my counselling knowledge and study how to offer therapy to couples and family. This is something I signed up to in 2024. Knowing I wanted to complete within one year of studying. The aim was to study each week for one to two hours. The reading course material happened on a weekly basis because I am interested in learning about how couples and family counselling a different skill set to individual therapy is. However, I struggled with written work for fear of failure. So, 50% of my measurable was in place and the remaining 50% was not. However, having that specific deadline of one year in place I managed to push through my fear of failing written assignments, and achieved my goal and obtained a distinction in my Couples and Family Therapy Diploma Course.
Do you like to set goals for yourself?
Would you like help to talk about your goals, I am here to listen. [email protected]