Want to know how to set goals and achieve them?
The end of the year is a great time to think about what you would like to do next year. If you’re like most, you’re probably thinking about milestones you would like to reach, places you would like to visit, or improvements you would like to make.
These are goals and they’re important because they provide direction and motivation throughout the year.
In this article, we’re taking a closer look at how to set goals and achieve them in 2020.
How to Set Goals and Achieve Them in 2020
If you do a Google search on how to set goals and achieve them, you will likely see multiple reports on a study done by Harvard that found 14% of people who set goals are ten times more likely to achieve them over the people who don’t set goals.
They further claim that if you write down your goals on a regular basis, even daily, you are even more likely to succeed.
By now you have probably tried to set goals, even write them down, or create a vision board. Maybe this worked for a while. Then temptation showed up with multiple weapons of distraction. Soon after you were just trying to get back to sober.
Don’t get me wrong, setting goals is a good thing. It can be done, and you can achieve those goals in 2020. The way you set goals, however, may need to factor in your desire to stay sober, which is the goal for 2020.
Below are tips to help you set goals in all areas of your life so that you can continue your recovery journey.
Be Very Specific
In recovery, being vague or evasive can be dangerous. It leaves too much room for interference. When setting goals, be very specific in what you want to achieve. For instance, if you want to get a job, or a better job, your goal may be, “Turn in three to five applications to restaurants, catering companies, food trucks, and other food-related businesses, Monday through Friday, until I get a job working in the food industry.”
Avoid goals like, “Apply for jobs working with food.” This goal has no focus and can make it easy for you to lose focus.
Use the SMART goal setting guidelines if you need help. Make your goals Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound.
You can set goals and achieve them for the upcoming year. Go for what you want, but also be realistic.
Know Yourself and What You Can Handle
When setting goals, you must know your limits and boundaries, so that you can create a realistic vision for your future. If you are new in your recovery, you don’t want to become the President of a corporation by the end of the year.
That level of stress is a relapse waiting to happen. Be honest with yourself. What type of job can you do that you will enjoy, that will keep you busy, and that can help you stay sober?
Just like you don’t want to run a company, you don’t want to be a bartender if your drug of choice is alcohol. Even though you may hear the “I got this” voice in your head, you probably don’t “got this”, especially if you are still craving.
It’s better to be in an unhip job that promotes your sobriety, than in a cool job that helps you relapse. Keeping this in mind can help you set goals and achieve them in 2020.
Plan for Potential Obstacles
Okay, so there are obstacles everywhere, for everybody. Life happens and there are ups and downs for everyone. The difference between you and them, however, is that you are in recovery. Meaning, you must prepare for the obstacles you anticipate.
Having a plan B established for when you face difficulties can help you set goals and achieve this year. Your plan B should include the specific actions you will take when you encounter an obstacle that tempts you to relapse.
Let’s say you get written up at work for a problem that your co-worker created. You try to express your innocence, but nobody is listening. You get frustrated and feel like you can’t win even when you are doing everything right. You may find it easier to turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with your frustration and quiet these thoughts.
You can avoid relapse by implementing a plan that includes reaching out to your support system.
Seek Input About Your Goals
Hopefully, you are in a sober living home if you have been recently discharged from inpatient treatment. Sober homes are the perfect place to start your goal setting process because you can get feedback from your sober peers, counselors, support group members and house leaders.
Be open to their input and use it to help you improve your goals.
Commit to Your Well-being
You must make your mental and physical health a priority in order to set goals and achieve them. Make a commitment to continue improving your overall health. Continue to meet with counselors, medical doctors, nutritionists, and other professionals who can give you advice on how to experience recovery.
Committing to your well-being also means not being afraid to return to a higher level of treatment if you need it. If you need to return to sober living, do it. If you need to return to inpatient treatment, do it.
Seeking help shows great strength.
Believe in Yourself
You have already been through hard times. You have survived situations that make you wonder how you survived. Instead of thinking of the bad times as just bad times, think of them as accomplishments. You made it.
Because you made it through some of the worst times ever, you can set goals and achieve them in 2020. Your past is just a stepping stone to a much greater future. Use the hurt and pain you suffered, along with the recovery tools you have learned, to push you into the future you deserve.
You are stronger now that you have been in years. You have it in you to succeed. Your loved ones see it, your counselors see it, and your peers see it. Now it’s time for you to see it and believe it.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to set up goals and achieve them in 2020, you can start thinking about the goals you want to strive for next year.
Following these tips can help you set and achieve goals in your personal, professional, and even your bucket list this year.
You are ready for this next chapter of positive living.