Gary Hayre
MCP, Registered Clinical Counsellor #18486
It’s time to come out of hibernation and embrace the arrival of spring. As the winter frost begins to thaw and flowers start to bloom, we too are entering a transition phase of renewal and fresh opportunities.
The days are longer, the weather is warmer, and bird songs become the background music to our days. As our energy levels and mood increase, we begin to feel more motivated to achieve certain goals or start new ventures.
So, how do we take advantage of the spirit of spring? Here is one way.
Embrace Change
Most people struggle with change. But spring offers a natural opportunity to transition. Whether it’s starting a new job, pursuing a passion project, or embarking on a journey of self-discovery, spring invites us to step out of our comfort zone and embrace the opportunity for growth.
For many, we want to change for the better but don’t quite know how to get there. We tell ourselves things like, “I want to be a better partner”, “I want to lose weight”, “I want to focus on my mental health”, “I want to save more money”, or “I want to spend more time with the people I love”.
Although we mean well, the vagueness of these goals sets us up for failure. A lack of clarity makes it easier to give up at the first sign of struggle or when we don’t see an immediate benefit.
By developing a clear plan with an end goal and smaller actionable steps, your chances of reaching your goals increases substantially. Here’s one proven way to help you.
Develop SMART goals.
SMART goals are…
- Specific: What is the one thing you want to achieve?
- Measurable: What are the specific benchmarks that help determine your progress?
- Attainable: Do you have the tools or skills needed to make this happen? Is it within your capabilities?
- Relevant: Does the goal align with your values and lifestyle?
- Timely: When will you start? What is your deadline?
Then ask yourself, what are the obstacles that might get in the way? How can you plan for it?
Here’s an example:
- Specific: I want to lose 15 lbs.
- Measurable: I will lose 5 lbs at the end of each month for 3 months, or approximately 1 lb per week.
- Attainable: I will go to the gym in my condo right after work for 30 minutes, 3 days a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and take a 15-minute walk during my lunch break daily. I will pack a healthy lunch for work the night before, meal plan weekly, and buy all the groceries on the weekend.
- Relevant: I value being healthy and active, and desire to lose the extra 15 lbs so I can feel good about the way I look.
- Timely: I will start on May 1 and end on July 31. But will continue afterwards to maintain the changes I’ve made.
- Obstacles: Eating junk food in my house. Get rid of everything and not buy anymore.
As you can see, SMART goals is a smart way to achieve your goals. If you want support and accountability with your SMART goals journey, reach out to the team at Brentwood Counselling Centre today. We’re here to help you attain your goals!
