Written by: Rachel Rubenstein, LCSW
Goals are “an aim or desired result” and are important because they guide us in understanding ourselves better and know what needs to be done to get there. Goals may show us what we might need to learn and what we might need to do to get where we want to be and feel the best we can.
Here are some simple steps to setting your personal goals:
- IDENTIFY the areas in your life that are important to you. Areas might include your relationship with your parents, school and homework, or your mental health. These areas don’t have to be “problem” areas, just parts of your life that are important. You will learn there might be changes to make or you may be reassured that keeping things the same is working well.
Example: My Mental Health and feeling disappointed with friendships.
- ASSESS where you are now? How are you doing and how are things going in that area?
Example: My Mental Health is OK, but I do get down a lot. I have a few friends, but I can’t always talk to them. I want to feel more supported and happier.
- IMAGINE where you would like to be and how you would like to experience this area? How would you like this circumstance or relationship to be? How would it look and be if it were better?
Example: If I felt more supported, I would feel more comfortable talking to my friends.
- WHAT skills need to be learned or what action do you need to do to get there? Brainstorm time!
Ideas should be:
Related to the goal- Will it help me improve this situation?
Respectful -Nobody gets hurt
Reasonable – It is about improving the situation or experience directly, it’s great to make other parts of your life better and focus on the specific goal you set.
Helpful – Your ideas will assist you to move you towards your Mindset Reset goals. Creative thinking works well but be sure you are realistic and kind to yourself and others.
Example: If my mood gets low, I can read a self-help book, or talk to my trusted adult.
- TODAY what is one thing you can do to move yourself toward a personal goal?
Example: I will schedule time to meet with the school counselor.
Remember you can reflect and grow any time…we call that “personal development” and the more we do it, usually the happier we are. If we don’t like how things are going, changing something, even a minor change, can make a big difference.
Knowing yourself and moving through a mental health challenge can lead to personal growth and more happiness, but you need to take that first step. Seek out the support of a professional mental health provider, talk to a friend or your family.
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Rachel Rubenstein, LCSW is an Arizona based Mental Health provider and owner of The Counseling Consultants, PLLC, a group of licensed Mental Health professionals serving kids and adults with a variety of Mental Health Wellness needs.