It is the time of the year where you may be inclined to reflect on the current year and begin to set goals for the upcoming year. Many of us may already be familiar with setting S.M.A.R.T. goals or have heard of S.M.A.R.T. goal setting even if we have not tried it yourself.
Here’s an opportunity to get better at setting goals for yourself. When trying to achieve a particular goal, you must ask yourself questions along the way. It is important to be curious about the who, what, when, why, and how. You must be willing to dig deeper than just simply stating your goal and take into consideration new routines that may be necessary to support you in reaching your goal.
Below are four questions you should ask yourself regularly to reach your goal:
1) Who do my goals belong to?
Are your goals yours? Or could they be someone else’s? Your parent’s? Or society’s? Or what your boss wants you to do?
Make sure you are doing your goals because they are your objectives and not someone else’s. Unless they are truly your own, you won’t be successful even if you complete them.
2) Are my goals realistic?
Can your goals actually be done? Are they possible?
Stretching yourself and your capabilities is what leads to new levels of success. However, setting impossible goals makes for a futile effort that will never be completed.
3) Why am I setting this goal?
Why are your goals… goals? Why do you want to accomplish them? Are they part of your passion and being? Or are they part of a superficial race you are running simply because that is what society wants you to do? “Why” is perhaps the most important question you need to answer about your goals.
4) Do my daily actions align with my goals?
Alignment is key!
When your daily actions align with your goals it keeps you motivated and on track to reach your goals. Otherwise, you run the risk of burning yourself out and falling short of reaching your goals.
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About the Writer...
Tacha Fletcher is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), Holistic Life Coach and Founder of Wellness Tree Counseling Services. Using an eclectic approach, her treatment is warm, compassionate, collaborative and culturally attuned while creating a safe and nurturing atmosphere which allows individuals to delve deeper into their feelings and thoughts that are causing conflict. Tacha enjoys working with Black, Indigenous and Women of Color (BIWOC) to address depression and anxiety related symptoms etc.
Our mission at Wellness Tree Counseling Services is to promote wellness through a culturally sensitive lens so that individuals, families and communities are encouraged to rise to their full potential and engage life in meaningful ways. To learn more about our services, please visit www.wellnesstreecounseling.com