5 Ways To Set Achievable Goals Like A Boss

If you are an individual suffering from substance use disorder, you may have experienced strong urges to start the recovery process or feel inspired to overcome any other challenges. If so, it is important to set realistic goals. For example, overcoming drugs or alcohol addiction within one day is an unrealistic goal.

The biggest problem with setting unrealistic goals is that you may become demotivated to take more actions for your recovery if you cannot achieve these goals. This creates a massive setback in your mind which is often difficult to overcome.

Additionally, we often find ourselves confused between dreams and goals as both differ from one another. Dreams are fantasies about things you'd like to have one day. While they're unquestionably enjoyable, they're not bound by any schedule. Dreams do not necessitate any action on your part. A dream does not compel you to put up any effort in order to realize it.

On the other hand, a goal is specific, measurable, and usually has a fixed deadline. The mistake that people commit is either setting an unrealistic timeline or no timeline for their recovery.

If you or someone you know is suffering from such setbacks because they cannot set achievable goals, then this article is a goldmine for you.

Benefits of Setting a Goal

Setting a goal is different from dreaming about recovery because action plans back goals. Setting a realistic goal can help in so many ways during the recovery process. When you set a goal for yourself, it takes self-exploration, which might open new dimensions of your mind. You also learn to focus on the right things like daily targets of not touching drugs, inculcating new habits to reach the decided goals, working upon mindset, and developing a futuristic approach for yourself.

Setting specific goals during recovery allows you to concentrate on the adjustments that will enable you to achieve the type of future you desire. You may not have given much attention to your future in recent months or years, but recovery is a time for new beginnings. You have the opportunity to consider what you want to do in the future and how you want your life to look without alcohol and drugs. Once they're gone, you'll have more room to think about things you haven't thought about in a long time, or possibly never considered before!

How to Set an Achievable Goal

There are many things you can use to set achievable goals for yourself during the recovery period. Some of these techniques are:

• S.M.A.R.T Goals

• Jot it down

• Break it down

• Be patient

• Do it together

#1. S.M.A.R.T Goals:

S.M.A.R.T is an acronym meaning specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound. This is one of the most famous techniques for goal setting. According to this method, each goal you set should be specific, i.e., you should know what you are working to achieve. Additionally, if you attach numbers to your objectives, it becomes measurable. For example, if you have decided to recover completely, you should connect the number of appointments you'll take, etc., so that you can track your progress.

Furthermore, the goal should be actionable so that you can act upon it by deciding the accountability, and it must be relevant to the objective you are working to meet. Finally, add a deadline to your goals so that you can implement things within a time frame.

#2. Jot It Down:

According to Forbes, goal success is significantly linked to vividly describing or picturing your goals in writing. People who do so are 1.2 to 1.4 times more likely to achieve their objectives than those who don't. Simply writing your goals on a piece of paper makes a considerable difference in goal achievement.

Thus, it becomes crucial to have the ability to see the goal physically.

#3. Break It Down:

Breaking down goals has a lot to do with achievements. For example, if you have a goal of generating a revenue of $500k per annum, it might initially look difficult. But once you break it down as monthly and daily goals ($41,667 and $1,389, respectively), you get clarity about the number you need to achieve daily, making it easier for you to achieve the goal.

#4. Be Patient:

We need to understand that all good things take time. If you wish to recover and lead a healthy life, it will be a gradual process. Don't lose heart; it's much more about progress than perfection.

#5. Do It Together:

Finding a good accountability partner during the recovery process can be a complete game-changer for an individual. Having a good accountability partner not only creates responsibility, but drop-off rates also go down, and you are more likely to achieve your goals.

Goals Are A Critical Factor Determining Our Futures

If you are looking forward to changing your life entirely, you must set goals and back them with the appropriate efforts. Unfortunately, there may be times when we fall into the trap of setting unrealistic goals and end up losing our motivation. Thus, learning how to set realistic goals becomes a life-changing skill.

Some of the ways to set up achievable goals during recovery are finding an accountability partner, breaking down the goals, writing them on a piece of paper, setting SMART goals, and being patient. Goal setting can be accomplished effectively. The results can be achieved with the help of proper guidance and assistance from the experts. Recovery becomes much more manageable once you have the right goals and the appropriate professional support.

If you need professional assistance, please call us today.

Written by

Brian Moore

Content Writer

Reviewed by

Jeremy Arzt

Chief Clinical Officer

May 4, 2022