Progress with Patience and Purpose: Working From Where You Are To Get To Where You Want To Be

Have you ever made a goal, maybe a resolution list, been so excited and motivated to get

started, and then burnt yourself out before finishing? Well, you are not alone. Goal setting is a challenging task because it is hard to know how to break down large goals into smaller,

manageable steps. It can be easy to get lost in the big picture and get stuck knowing where to start. Having big umbrella goals, without clear measurable progress points, sometimes leads to feelings of anxiety causing you to be overwhelmed by even the idea of starting a task. On top of that, diving right in full force can leave you feeling frustrated, angry, and insecure about your ability to accomplish things at all when you are not able to reach your goal in the manner you were expecting. The good news is, you may just need a different approach. Everyone’s brain is different and there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to anything really. The goal is to find a method that works for you, being gentle and patient with yourself in the process of working towards your desired objectives.

The thing is, you are CAPABLE, your goals are ACHIEVABLE , and you can be SUCCESSFUL!

If you are having trouble knowing where to start, you can try the SMART method for goal

breakdowns, so let's take a closer look at what that may look like:

The S.M.A.R.T Model

Specific: Make your goals precise and clear.

Example: Instead of “I want to clean”, try “I want to clean my room.” You could be even more specific if you choose like, I want to organize my closet or I want to fold my clean clothes.

Measurable: You want your goal to have trackable steps so you can follow your progress.

Example: “I want to clean for 30 minutes a day” or “I want to clean 3 days a week for 30

minutes.”

Attainable: You want this goal to be achievable, so make sure you frame your goal with

considerations of time and resources you have to invest in it.

Example: “My schedule is from 9AM-5PM Monday-Friday, so I will clean from 6PM-6:30PM after I eat dinner, on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday with the cleaning products I have at the house. As an additional option I can have someone over to help with accountability (this is an example of body doubling).” Body doubling can help those who have difficulties with task management. Body doubling is a productivity tool to have someone work with you or alongside you in the same space to improve focus and task completion.

Realistic: You want this to be something you can genuinely accomplish and that is related to

your life, goals, and interests-having some type of connection to you.

Example: “I want to clean so my room feels comfortable and maintaining the clean doesn’t feel as overwhelming.”

Time-Bound: Have a finish date to know this goal has been reached.

Example: “I will complete this goal by the end of the week.”

This is just one idea, and there are many more out there, so if this doesn’t work for you there

are other structures you can try. The important thing to remember is that you should always

start from where you are, there is no such thing as small progress, only progress. You can

accomplish the things you want to in life, you just have to find the right systems that fit your

needs and lifestyle. Each individual brain is unique and we all just have to find the tools or

methods that work for us while giving ourselves permission to be human-navigating life

imperfectly.

You got this!

["There is no health without mental health" — Vikram Patel.]