Coping with PTSD Through Goal Setting

[anthony]

We all need to know where we are going; otherwise we'll end up where we don't want to be! Goals can be immediate or longer term. Either way, we need to plan if we want to achieve our goals. In this way, we avert failure and prevent ourselves from holding onto goals which are mere fantasies. Saying "I want to be a more confident person" is a global statement and sets us up for non-achievement unless we take specific steps to plan how to be more "confident".

The following are some basic steps, and examples:

SMALL - make goals manageable in terms of time and effort.
Example: "I will talk to my neighbour next time I see her."
Not: "I will start to make friends."

SPECIFIC - goals should be definite and detailed.
Example: "I will ask my wife how her day went when she gets home."
Not: "I will communicate better with my wife."

REASONABLE - each goal should make sense and be seen as valuable.
Example: "I will make the bed and wash the breakfast dishes before I go out each day."
Not: "I will stay home until all the house is clean and polished."

POSITIVE - decide what you will do, not what you will not do.
Example: "I will smile and be pleasant when my daughter visits."
Not: "I will not argue with my daughter."

REPETITIVE - choose goal behaviour that you will be able to practise often.
Example: "I will walk around the block every day."
Not: "I will walk to the library on Saturdays."

INDEPENDENT - set goals which are not dependent on the behaviour or cooperation of another person.
Example: "I will phone my friend and invite her to go to a film with me."
Not: "I will go out at the weekend if someone suggests it."