Goal Setting

Why should you set goals?

The simplest answer is that people who set goals for themselves tend to be more successful in life at whatever they are trying to do. The simple act of setting a goal just seems to motivate people better and help them stay focused on what they want to accomplish. Try the exercises below and see how goal setting can be a powerful part of your recovery.

Goals are plans you make for yourself. They are usually things that you would really like to have or do that you must spend some time and effort working at. Goals can be about getting things, doing things, or making personal changes.

Why are goal important?

• Goals give you direction in life.
• Goals give you something to aim for and to work toward.
• Setting goals is a first step in sending your life in the direction you want it to go.

Goal setting is the process of thinking of what you would like to accomplish, and planning the steps that you need to take to complete your goals. Below you can try to do some goal setting. Set yourself goals that are realistic—not too easy or not too hard. Sometimes you need to complete one goal to be able to go on to the next goal.

Achieving your goals is as simple as following a few basic steps:

• THINK - Decide what you want to do, to change, or to accomplish.
• PLAN - Figure out what steps you must take to accomplish your goal.
• TIME - Set a realistic time limit from one day to several years.
• ACT - Put you plan into action — make it happen.
• RE-EVALUATE - Review your goals and make changes when necessary.

1. DAILY Goals: List two small changes in your thinking or behavior that you can try to make each day to improve your life; for example be nicer to your family.

2. SHORT-TERM Goals: List two things that you can work towards over the next three months; such as work on controlling your anger, or setting up an exercise program.

3. MID-RANGE Goals: List two mid-range goals that you can try to accomplish within the next six months. These could be completing a school project, a work project, or learning a new skill. Try to learn or do something new that you do not have to learn or do, but that you will enjoy and have a sense of accomplishment when it is done.

4. LONG-TERM Goals: Long-term goals are usually things that may take continuous effort over several years; such as saving the money for a car or down payment on a house. Long-term goals can also be the fun things that you would like to be able to do some time in the future - like traveling to another country - but you do not really have a plan in place to accomplish them right now. Try to list some long term goals that are both fun and practical.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT Goals: Are goals that help you to feel better about yourself. These are things that you can work on yourself that have to do with how you think and act. Sometimes we need to have a hard, honest look at ourselves to be able to set worthwhile personal goals. This can be difficult but is usually worth the effort.

5. Think of something that you would like to change about yourself to be a better person. What is it, and what could you do to make this change happen?

6. If you could change how you act towards other people to be nicer to them, what would you change?

7. Think of something that you did not finish, but would still like to finish — like missing some school. What dreams did you give up as a result of your substance use or addictive behavior? What can you do to still accomplish this goal?

8. Look at all the goals that you have listed above. What are some of the difficulties that you are going to face in trying to accomplish these goals?

9. What are some of the things that you can do to help yourself accomplish your goals and overcome any obstacles that might be in your way?

10. Sometimes, when we let someone like our parents or friends or family know that we are trying to accomplish a goal they can both help us and support us. Which of your goals can your family or friends help you to accomplish?