Goal Setting for Optimum Health ...

As we move through life and its many interruptions or as we age - we may not recognise the need for accomplishments, yet they are so crucial in keeping our mental and physical health at its optimum as well as aiding us on our road to recovery.  Find a purpose - It is easier to set our goal when we revolve it around a purpose in our life. A great place to start is by asking ourselves what matters to us now or what is important? If our goal is related to a result, we are more likely to achieve it. Once we settle on our goal - use SMART to assist in making it specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timely. This gives us accountability - helps us stay focused, motivated and committed.

Specific: Be clear and detailed. If we are vague when setting our goal, it can feel overwhelming.

Vague - ‘I want to exercise more’.

Specific - ‘I will exercise for 1 hour, 5 days a week’.

Measurable: If we can measure our goal, it becomes easier for us to know when we have met it.

Non-measurable - ‘I want to walk again’.

Measurable - ‘I will be walking 5km comfortably 5 days a week by December’.

Achievable: Start on a smaller scale. Think about what we realistically can do now, and not when we were younger. Lower the expectation.

Relevant: Try not to set a goal for the sake of having a goal. Think about what is important in our life right now. Remember - It needs to have a purpose, so we can stick with it.

Timely: Can we take the goal on right now or is it best for later? Choose a suitable time frame - it’s important to give ourselves adequate time.

It is easy to talk ourselves out of goals or make excuses because of life’s challenges or the idea that goals must be achieved in a certain way. When challenges and doubts arise, it is okay to change the approach or ask for help.