EvolutionHealth.care

Home
Main Forum
Depression
Goal Setting and Activity Scheduling
Setting goals: Always a challenge for me

Advanced Search Form

Setting goals: Always a challenge for me

5 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11226

Bump - for members who are working on motivating themselves.

Motivation can be hard to create while depressed. Setting SMART goals are a great way to get started.

Please share your goals with us so we can share your success and help you through the tough parts.

You are not alone and you do not have to tackle this alone.

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1853

Great tip Laura! Thanks for posting. Vincenza, Health Educator

11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 40

yes setting goals is hard work. I've had the same goals for years....and I feel like why bother setting more goals, until I complete the ones that I already have.

we have to do goal setting at work, and it's always very difficult to come up with goals that are SMART.

SMART goals are:

Specific

Measurable

Achievable

Realistic

Timely

It helps me to think about my goals in this way, because I can take a goal I have, like losing 30 lbs and make sure that it's SMART and if it's not, I can change it, break it down into smaller pieces like 2lbs a week, etc. so I can put a date to it, and so it's realistic to attain.

Just thought I'd throw that out there and hope it helps.

Laura

11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1022

Original Post by: eleveno

Finally I am starting to grasp the concept of setting goals.

What is important is to have at least one goal to work on. The purpose of the goal planner is to help starting the ball running. As I am getting closer to the goal I normally change and adapt the plan according to the circumstances I found.

It is perfectly normal to change plans and even goals.

goal setting IS hard. harder than working toward a set goal i think.

11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11226

Hi Felesfemina,

Welcome to the group.

You have some very common concerns. Setting goals can be difficult; especially when you are feeling depressed. First it is important to understand and apply the SMART acronym this is discussed in Session 2. It's also important to understand that when you are depressed the action has to come before the motivation. With people who are not depressed normally they feel motivated and then they take action but with depression you cannot wait for the motivation as it won't come unless you actively start making changes in your thoughts and behaviours. This is much easier said then done but once you understand this truth it might be easier to push yourself to get going. How can you push yourself when you are not feeling motivated? Also, it might help to break your goals down into smaller chunks. Start with small steps to a goal and gradually move up to bigger steps. For some people just going for a 5 minute walk it a good goal. Do what you feel is right for you now.

Rewards are also tricky. When depressed it can feel like nothing will make you happy but it is still important to do things that may make you happy. What rewards would you have found fun in the past? What rewards do you think would appeal to the authentic you; not the depressed you?

Take your time with this and keep posting questions. With hard work and our help you'll get there. Don't give up on yourself or this process!

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2

Setting goals at this moment of my life is more difficult than ever. I really don't know why, maybe it is because of my lack of motivation and interest. Also the part of setting rewards is harder, and I don't have any idea what could be a good reward for me, because I feel hopeless and I am very negative right now, everything I could use as a reward seems pointless or empty...

I don't know what to do and I really want to change and I really need help. Thank you.

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 619

Finally I am starting to grasp the concept of setting goals.

What is important is to have at least one goal to work on. The purpose of the goal planner is to help starting the ball running. As I am getting closer to the goal I normally change and adapt the plan according to the circumstances I found.

It is perfectly normal to change plans and even goals.

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11226

Nice work Eleveno! You cleaned up that office fast, I feel like we just talked about it.

Great new goals too. Please remember to reward yourself and be present to your achievements. It is not just about completing tasks it is also about how it makes you feel. So celebrate; even if it is just a little dance in the office now that it is all clean

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 619

Last week I finished one of my goals: cleaning and arranging my home office. This week I am updating my treatment goals:

Painting a room (finish the job on February 29th)
Find one institution for volunteer work until March 15th
Search for a new job (start sending minimum 2 resumes a week by March 8th)

In general I am doing a pleasant activity each day (no matter how small).

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11226

Sounds great Eleveno.

I'm looking forward to hearing how you do!

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

Reading this thread:

today's top discussions:

This Month’s Leaders:

Most Supportive

Most Active

Most Loved

Setting goals: Always a challenge for me