8 Steps for Effective Goal Planning to Help Your Addiction Recovery
According to –E.V. Stankowski, ‘Sobriety is a Journey’ one that will take those of you in recovery through struggles and accomplishments, through bouts of sadness, and joyous times of smiles and laughter. Recovery is like a second chance to many addicts and is a great opportunity to take a new path that was previously inconceivable. Creating and utilizing goals is something taught during cognitive behavioral therapy; they help to provide direction, bring attention to positive solutions, and can help to measure important milestones.
Some people recovering from an addiction will be aware of different goals that they would like to achieve, but are unsure of how to be successful and where to start. Perhaps you have recently completed treatment and are looking ahead with a clear mind wondering how you will effectively plan your goals, put them into action, and eventually achieve them. Below are 8 steps that you can use to help you effectively plan out your addiction recovery goals.
Set Aside Time
Before you can begin to take the first steps at accomplishing an addiction recovery goal that you have set, you must make time in your daily life to plan out how you will get to your ultimate destination. Let’s call this ‘Think Time’. Locate a place that is quite and distraction free; sometimes it will be easier to be out of the house or away from any everyday environments. A library, park, or quite lounge may be a nice option; anywhere that you can get comfortable, relax, and think about what you want to achieve during your recovery.
Begin to Write
Once you have had your ‘Think Time’ or perhaps even a few sessions of ‘Think Time’ make two lists. One list will consist of short term goals while the other will consist of long term goals; both should be positive.
Re-Examine and Eliminate
Now that you have written down your addiction recovery goals, both short and long term, re-examine all of them. This is useful because sometimes the mind can wonder, causing you to write down impractical or irrelevant ideas. Keep the goals that you truly have a strong desire to achieve.
Plan Out the Steps
Now that you have determined your goals, you have become that much closer to fully effective goal planning. It’s now time to plan out each step that you will have to take in order to reach your goal. For example, if you would like to become a physical therapist, you must obtain the required knowledge and certification.
Know Why you are Seeking Your Goals
You are more likely to achieve your addiction recover goals if you know exactly why you made them. Think about what you will get out of achieving them or how they will make a positive difference in your life.
Choose a Timeframe
Choose a practical timeframe in which each step can be achieved; this will help you to remain focused and stay on track. You must include this with each goal, but remember to be practical.
Remain Motivated
Do your very best to remain motivated throughout the entire process. It is absolutely okay to post pictures of things you may want to do or achieve around your car or house. Make a copy of your list and stick it to the fridge, glove box, etc. Doing these simple things can help you to stay positive, focused, and take you one step closer to achieving your addiction recovery goals.
Don’t Give Up
Throughout your recovery, you may experience ups and downs, you may get discouraged or begin to lose hope, but this is all part of life, so don’t give up. Think positive and involve other people that may support your efforts. If you fail the first, second, third time, and so forth, keep going; you will get to the finish line!
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