Hawaii Island Recovery 
Setting goals is essential during the recovery process. Goals are beneficial in managing sobriety because they help individuals focus on what is truly important in their lives. Setting goals provides hope and motivation to keep you moving forward in a positive direction.
For people in recovery, it is essential to set specific recovery goals. These are goals that are personal to you and are relevant in actively managing your sobriety. These goals can vary in complexity and time, but all recovery goals can be achieved through your desire to make an effort and put in the work. Recovery goals should inspire you to continuously keep moving forward, even when you encounter obstacles.
How Does Setting Goals Help in Recovery?
Overcoming addiction and managing your sobriety can seem like enormous tasks. Setting goals allows you to focus on what you want to accomplish and prioritize the steps needed to reach those goals. It also instills a sense of self-confidence and pride as you progress along your journey. Some of the benefits of goal setting include:
- Allows you to focus: Setting goals helps you to focus on the things that are most important to you, your sobriety, and your overall well-being.
- Provides a purpose: Goals become your personal action plan with tangible tasks you can complete on an ongoing basis. They provide you with a purpose to stay committed to your recovery.
- Reduces stress: Setting goals allows you to break down larger objectives into small and meaningful steps. Accomplishing these small steps will help any feelings of being overwhelmed.
How to Set Effective Goals
When setting goals, a framework you can use is the well-established SMART criteria. SMART is an effective tool that provides the clarity, focus, and motivation you need to achieve your goals. SMART goals are also easy to use by anyone, anywhere, without the need for specialist tools or training.
SMART is an acronym that means:
- Specific: What specific thing do you want to achieve?
- Measurable: How will you measure the action taken to achieve the goal?
- Attainable: You should be able to achieve your goals, even when the tasks required for achievement may seem hard.
- Realistic/Relevant: Goals should be relevant to your recovery and help you manage your sobriety.
- Time-Based: What is your timeline for completing the goal? Be specific and realistic about the commitment and timeframe it will take to achieve.
To achieve your SMART goals, you’ll need a meaningful plan that speaks directly to you and your recovery. Such a plan should be relevant to you, as well as the things and people you value. It should also be motivating enough that you will continue to pursue the goals even if you are met with obstacles.
No matter how many times you’ve tried and failed to embrace a life of sobriety, we are ready and able to help you achieve your goals to avoiding relapse.
More infoWriting and Implementing the Plan
Work with your medical professionals, therapists, counselors, or peer-support workers to help you create goals and objectives that you can achieve. Be sure to write your goals down and review them often. Doing so will serve as a reminder of what is important to you and your sobriety.
If you are new to the concept of writing down your goals, or if the SMART criteria seems a bit intimidating, do not let that stop you. You can start simply by developing a small set of goals that you can accomplish each day. Try starting by setting a goal such as “I will remain sober today” or “I will practice self-care and take a walk around the block.”
Continue setting and accomplishing these small goals, and soon you’ll want to start working on larger ones.
Here are a few tips to remember as you develop your goals:
#1. Share Goals With Your Support Community
Your friends, family, and support group peers can help you in achieving your goals. Share what you would like to accomplish and your timeline for achievement with them. Your support community can not only help keep you motivated but will also hold you accountable.
#2. Be Kind to Yourself
Recovery is a lifelong commitment, and it may take longer to accomplish some of your goals than others. Remember, you are not in a race with anyone. You are setting goals and working to achieve them for your sobriety.
#3. Allow Room for Flexibility
Inevitably, life will bring about changes. When there are major life shifts in priorities or circumstances, consider reviewing your goals to ensure they are still attainable and relevant to your recovery. If your goals no longer fit your sobriety, adjust them to make them work for your needs. The important part is that you still want to continue making progress in a positive direction.
Setting goals during recovery is essential to managing your sobriety and overall health and well-being. While in recovery, it is crucial to set recovery goals. These goals are specific and personal to you and should be relevant in actively managing your sobriety. You should make sure that these goals are attainable and give yourself a specific timeline in which to accomplish them. If you would like more information on setting goals in recovery, or if someone you know could benefit from our programs, give Hawaii Island Recovery a call at (866) 390-5070 today. Our dedicated team of professionals is available 24/7 to assist you with all of your needs. If you are struggling with addiction or are experiencing a relapse, we are here to help you heal. We are committed to helping people achieve their lifelong goals of health, spirituality, peace, and happiness. At Hawaii Island Recovery, recovery is available to all.
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If you or a loved one need help, call Hawaii Island Recovery toll-free right now.
866-390-5070
