Setting goals helps a lot of things. It will help you reach financial success, get your body healthy, and more. However, one subject that’s not often talked about is how setting goals helps your mental health.
For this article, we sought insights from several distinguished experts suited to the subject. Below we will go over the most important things those experts had to say about how setting goals can help your mental health.
Unlocks the Power of Possibility
“As soon as we consider that something could be a potential goal, the possibility of it being achieved exists. There is no limit to what we can create for our goals.” – Wendy Schofer, MD,Founder, Family in Focus at Wendy Schofer, MD
The first thing that stood out to me was from Dr. Schofer. She believes that setting goals unlocks the power of possibility, which is something so many of us have lost touch with in our lives.
When you go through life not setting goals, it’s hard to grasp what’s possible. The reason for this is because you store everything in your brain, which makes it hard to take the correct actions to see any success.
When you set goals the right way and follow them, it allows you to see what’s possible. Just from setting one goal, you’ll be able to visualize a much bigger picture than before in all aspects of life. Doing this will:
- Make you much more positive in your thinking
- You will think more highly of yourself
- Reduce stress and anxiety levels by providing a clear path forward
- Increase overall life satisfaction and well-being
Gives You a Sense Of Purpose
“Setting goals gives individuals a clear sense of direction and purpose, which can help them feel more motivated and focused. This can be particularly helpful for individuals struggling with mental health issues such as depression or anxiety, as it can provide a sense of structure and meaning to their lives.” –Dr. Martha Tara Lee, a Relationship Counselor & Clinical Sexologist
From my own perspective, this is entirely true. When I didn’t set goals properly I was always anxious due to the fact that I felt like everything was always piled up in the back of my mind. I never felt like I had any purpose and it would make me feel depressed as well.
Once I started setting goals it provided a clear structure for what I was trying to accomplish in life and gave me a sense of purpose.
This isn’t the only good feedback we got from Dr. Martha Tara Lee. She also gave us our next point.
Boosts Your Self Esteem and Makes You More Confident Overall
“Achieving goals can be a powerful way to boost self-esteem and confidence. When individuals set goals and work towards achieving them, they develop a sense of accomplishment and pride in their abilities. This can be particularly helpful for individuals struggling with low self-esteem or feelings of worthlessness.” -Dr. Martha Tara Lee, a Relationship Counselor & Clinical Sexologist
Another great point from Dr. Martha Tara Lee was that setting goals boosts your self esteem and makes you more confident overall. But what’s the reasoning behind this?
In my own experiences, it’s boosted my self-esteem because it has helped me keep promises to myself, and in return it has made me more confident.
When you rely on your brain to keep track of goals for you, you easily forget aspects and skip out on important tasks. Deep down you’ll feel like you aren’t doing a good job because of this, and this leads to a decrease in self-esteem.
Not only is it important to set goals, but it’s also extremely important to set realistic ones. Setting unrealistic expectations could also have the effect of lowering your self esteem because you’ll feel like you can’t meet the goals you set for yourself.
Helps You Stay In The Moment
When you set a long term goal, you’re not overly concerned about the past or the future. Setting solid goals puts you more in the mindset of, “what can I do now?”, instead of harping on the past or being overly worried about the future. Here’s how staying in the moment could help your mental health.
- Reduces stress: Focusing on the present moment helps you let go of worries about the future and regrets about the past, reducing overall stress levels.
- Improves emotional regulation: By staying present, you can better recognize and manage your emotions, leading to increased emotional stability and well-being.
- Enhances self-awareness: Mindfulness promotes self-awareness, allowing you to understand your thoughts, emotions, and reactions more deeply, fostering personal growth.
- Boosts focus and concentration: Staying in the moment can help you concentrate more effectively on the task at hand, improving productivity and reducing distractions.
- Encourages self-compassion: Practicing mindfulness fosters a non-judgmental attitude toward yourself, promoting self-compassion and self-acceptance.
- Strengthens resilience: Being present helps you better cope with life’s challenges and setbacks, building resilience and improving overall mental health.
- Enhances relationships: Mindfulness can improve communication and empathy, leading to deeper and more satisfying relationships with others.
- Reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression: By focusing on the present moment, you can alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, fostering a more balanced and positive mental state.
How Setting Goals Can Negatively Impact Your Mental Health
Dr. Stoller cautions, “Don’t be misled to think that every goal is healthy. Look at making money or finding someone who loves you. Both of those goals are questionable in their sanity.”
What Dr. Stoller says goes hand in hand with my article, the downsides of goal setting.
To protect your mental health while setting goals, be mindful of the following:
- Don’t set unrealistic or unattainable goals. Pursuing goals that are too challenging or impossible to achieve can lead to disappointment, frustration, and lowered self-esteem.
- Avoid seeking external validation. Relying on external sources of validation, such as wealth or the approval of others, can be detrimental to your mental health and lead to an unhealthy dependence on external factors.
- Be specific with your goals. Setting goals that are unclear or ambiguous can make it difficult to measure progress, leading to confusion and a lack of motivation. Ensure your goals are well-defined and measurable.
- Don’t overwhelm yourself with too many goals at once: Taking on too many goals simultaneously can lead to increased stress and burnout. Focus on a few key goals and prioritize them accordingly.
Conclusion
With all that being said, setting goals can play a significant role in improving your mental health. By unlocking the power of possibility, providing a sense of purpose, and boosting self-esteem, goal-setting can lead to a more focused and fulfilling life. However, it’s essential to approach goal-setting with caution and mindfulness, ensuring that the goals are realistic, specific, and prioritized. By striking the right balance, you can harness the power of goal-setting to enhance your mental well-being and live a more purposeful, confident, and satisfying life.