When was the last time you sat down and created a list of goals and made a plan, for things you wanted to accomplish within the next six months, 1 year, or 5 years? Probably not at all, I bet!
As functioning human beings it is natural for us to want to improve ourselves, or as Abraham Maslow would have phrased it to strive towards self-actualization (remember that Hierarchy of Needs triangle in your psyche 101 class??).
Sometimes, people will get bogged down by negative behavior such as addiction or cognitive distortions caused by severe depression or growing up in a dysfunctional family. However, even these issues do not have to stop ourselves from self-actualizing. In fact, if we actively take on these issues, it can create an amazing opportunity for personal growth.
Whether you want to kick a negative habit, feel better about yourself or maybe explore your spirituality a little, this all starts with creating a specific goal.
A great way to achieve this goal is by doing two things: writing the goal down (e.g. diary, goal setting app, blog, heck even a post-it note) and telling someone your intentions, this way, you may have an ally who can hold you accountable for working towards the goal.
This is why people who start fitness programs with buddies do better than the person who simply goes at it alone. A therapist can help in this process as well, not only will a good therapist hold you accountable for your plan but will build solutions with you when you encounter that occasional “roadblock” that may stop your momentum from moving forward.
Need a place to start? Try this comprehensive goal setting worksheet from Cigna Behavioral Health.
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