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Most of us start the year with goal-setting activities hoping to have a more productive year.
However, most people also find it challenging to be consistent with their goals.
If you’re one of those who have a hard time with goal setting, don’t worry about it. You’re not alone.
As promised, I will share goal-setting tips to make it easier for you to make your best year possible.
Caregiving can be a rewarding, especially for health workers and geriatric specialists who have specialized training.
However, it can often be tiring, stressful, and even thankless especially when caring for family.
I should know since I’ve been working in senior care for years. I also helped care for my mother until her passing. So, believe me when I say I know how you feel.
Goal-setting is a must for caregivers because it helps them focus on specific tasks and outcomes.
You probably know how overwhelming it is to care for seniors, especially when this wasn't part of the plan.
This path has many moving parts, responsibilities, and other tasks. And it’s easy to get burned out.
Setting the right goals will help you prioritize your time and energy to work on what matters to you.
It also gives you a sense of accomplishment and motivation to be a better caregiver.
Goal setting is essential, especially when you ask why you do what you do.
And if you’re still not setting any goals for yourself, then this is the best time to sit down and think about it.
The key to practical goal setting is to keep it simple.
To do that, you need to have clarity.
You need to set SMART goals: specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound.
The goals you set need to matter to you.
This will help you stay focused and motivated as you achieve your goal.
However, it’s not enough to do goal-setting activities. You also need to believe that it will happen.
Having a growth mindset is necessary.
Goals need follow-ups and follow-throughs. It needs planning and taking action for it to happen.
That’s why your strategy to make your goals happen is as important.
There are a lot of benefits to goal-setting, especially when the new year comes in.
Setting goals can create a roadmap and plan of action to keep you organized. It can also make overwhelming responsibilities more manageable.
It will also allow you to choose which tasks and projects need priority.
With that said, here are my tips on setting better goals for 2023.
Clarity may sound so simple, yet it’s so difficult to achieve.
Let me put it this way.
Most of us think big when we think of goals. The problem is big goals feel unattainable the moment something goes wrong. And something will always go wrong.
To achieve your goals, the key is to start small and simple.
Ask yourself why you want to achieve these goals and their impact on your life and others.
The more precisely you identify these goals and their purpose, the better you will achieve them.
Limit goals to two or three at a time. Too many goals increases the chance that you will meet none of them.
It will be much easier for you to devise plans and strategies to make it happen.
The biggest problem we all have is the illusion that we have all the time in the world. And we tend to put things and tasks off because of this mindset.
Parkinson's law says that work expands to fill the time allotted for its completion.
This is the reason why you need to set goals that are time-bound. Doing so will give you a sense of urgency and accountability.
While it’s great to have long-term plans, planning for smaller, more achievable goals will take you closer to the desired results.
Instead of going for yearly resolutions, go for 90-day challenges instead.
Or go for 21 days if you want to change any behaviors or habits.
Setting short-term goals will also make your decision-making much more effortless. It will keep you aligned with your long-term plans and guide you in the direction you need to take.
This might be a little biased since I like doing prompts for goal-setting.
But it is helpful to get a planner with goal-setting prompts.
Planners with prompts usually have guides and questions that you can answer.
Check out the best planners for 2023, according to Refinery29.
What you come up with can help you identify which aspects of your life needs improvement. You can also see which parts of your life are doing well.
Journaling can also help you track and measure your progress.
Writing in a journal will identify thoughts, habits, and patterns you don’t see. It’s also an excellent way for brain dumps and relief from everyday stress.
It can also keep you grateful and make you count your blessings.
In case you need some helpful gratitude prompts, check here.
Accountability partners can provide support and encouragement in achieving your personal or professional goals.
So how do you find one? Here are a few ways you can do this.
Some reminders: make sure you’re choosing someone reliable and supportive.
It’s best to get someone who has similar goals so they would share the same level of commitment as you do.
Goal-setting should be a part of every caregiver’s regular routine.
Having goals can help you feel accomplished and fulfilled, especially when dealing with the stress of caring for elderly loved ones.
The key is to learn how to set the right goals that will fit your time and energy.
And also have people and communities that support you and your goals.
What do you want to achieve in 2023? I would love to hear your thoughts.
That's all for today.
Take care, keep mom safe at home and have a great day!
Winn
I am a Doctor of Physical Therapy and have been working with the 70+ age group for over a decade. I will share my knowledge and experience to give you ideas to care for your aging parents. Read more >>