Setting goals during your recovery is extremely important. Without goals, you’re just floating along and not sure what you should be doing. Concrete goals help you to keep moving forward in your recovery. Goals help you stay slightly uncomfortable. If you get comfortable, you will get complacent. That’s not a place you want to be in your recovery. You want to be in the driver’s seat and in control. Setting goals is one way to do that. Regular goals aren’t enough, though. You’ve got to set SMART goals.
Getting Uncomfortable
Getting uncomfortable is key. You cannot get comfortable and complacent and still be in control of your recovery. The only thing you should be comfortable with is discomfort. You can’t always avoid uncomfortable situations, so it’s time to get used to them. Whether they’re changes, deadlines, or specific situations, there’s always something that makes us uncomfortable. Find those things and use them to your advantage. Prepare for the uncomfortable situations you might be in. That means compiling coping skills and setting goals. What type of goals should you be setting? SMART goals!
SMART goals
SMART goals are goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely. We will go through each part of SMART goals below:
- Specific: You must be specific about what you want out of your recovery. Without specifics, your goals are weak. They won’t help you. To be specific, ask yourself the 5 W’s: Who? What? Where? When? Why? Also, ask yourself “how?” The 5 W’s are important for making your goals specific, but they are nothing without the “how?” The next sections of the goals will help you expand upon the “how?”
- Measurable: Measuring your goal is also important. When thinking about measurement, think about how you want to quantify your goal. Set a timeframe that you will be able to stick to. Can you reasonably achieve your goal in a week? A month? A year? Setting a specific goal that is measurable is key.
- Attainable: Is your goal attainable? Can you actually reach your goal? You must have the time, money, and talents to complete the goal for it to be attainable. Having a tangible goal is a must.
- Relevant: Your goal must be relevant to you. Are you setting this goal because someone else wants you to reach this goal? Or do you actually want to reach this goal? You must want this for yourself and on your own. No one should be pushing you. If this goal doesn’t further what you want and need, don’t waste your time on it.
- Timely: Good goals have a deadline. If your goal does not have a deadline, it is not a timely goal. Setting a deadline helps to keep yourself on track and hold yourself accountable. Set a time limit and stick to it.
Arbor Behavioral Healthcare is here to help you set SMART goals during your recovery. Call us today at (844) 413-2690. We can’t wait to talk with you and help get you started on your road to recovery.