How Therapy Helps With Goal Setting
Whether you’re setting resolutions for the new year, or simply facing an obstacle that could benefit from a different perspective, goal setting therapy may be something you could benefit from.
No need to wait for life to become hectic to seek therapy– in fact, utilizing a therapist’s assistance in achieving your goals can prevent unnecessary chaos. Here are ways therapy can re-acquaint you with your personal goals:
Aligns Your Goals and Deep Desires
Do you feel that your goals are not as important as other “critical” items on your to-do list? When you take a step back to account for changes you want to make in your life, you may notice you have only been pouring your energy into rote responsibilities and tasks that benefit others. This might leave you feeling drained, a feeling that can be compounded over time. These feelings are understandable!
If you take a second look, you might find you have time to finish that project… you know the one! A therapist can help you re-identify the things you want to achieve and help you find new ways to carve out time for them. You may think you’re too busy for recreation, but your therapist will remind you to protect, instead of dismiss, opportunities to make personal progress.
Breaks Goals into Smaller Chunks
Habits form over months, or even years. Therefore, cessation of those habits should be approached in steps. Trying to accomplish a goal in too short a period of time can hit some speed bumps. While your specific therapist may use different approaches, most are trained in helping you break down bigger goals into smaller milestones.
Your therapist can help you devise strategies to:
Pull Back From Your Current Approach
Have you ever pored over a situation, knowing that something’s “not working”, but not sure what? You may need to hear insight from someone who understands the psychology of goals. Goal setting therapy can help you take enough of a step back to identify which conflicts in your life serve as the strongest barriers to your goals.
Take Meaning In Smaller Wins
The perk of having smaller goals is getting to celebrate small wins! If you are pressuring yourself to soldier through tasks, you might be surprised to learn that very pressure may be holding up the completion of your goal. Your therapist will remind you to take pride in even your tiny wins.
Reallocate Your Energy
To understand where to allot your energy on a day-to-day basis, you need to define your capacity. For example, if you find yourself drained by noon, what is going on in the morning, or even night before, that has left you so depleted? Your therapist will help you identify areas of your life consuming more energy than you realize.
Helps You See A Way Through The “Impossible”
Imagine: you just moved in and are already clashing with your new neighbor. In a situation like this, few people can afford the luxury or inconvenience of relocation. Instead of warming your new home, you’re dreading any opportunities for your paths to cross.
If the goal in this example is to repair your relationship with your neighbor, you might feel overwhelmed by each interaction that still feels tenuous. How you respond to yourself in moments of conflict could be the difference between whether or not those conflicts ever improve.
Goal setting therapy can assist you with shifting the lens on a situation to minimize its negative impact on your life. The art of setting measurable, achievable goals must be handled with care.
Gives You An Accountability Partner
An accountability partner is someone who reminds you of the goals you’ve set and regularly checks in with you about the progress those goals are making. The objective isn’t for you to feel like you’re being monitored but to have an empathetic ear for any barriers or burnout you might experience in achieving your goals.
If you’re looking for an accountability partner experienced in the psychology of goals, Anna Marchenko, LMHC, M.A., Ed.M., at Miami Hypnosis & Therapy in Miami, Florida, can help. Having studied at two of the strongest academic institutions and contributors to modern methods in psychology (Columbia and NYU), you can take the brave step of seeking Anna’s help with your goals, knowing it’s the best decision you can make.
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