Set Goals to Stay Motivated

You may be experiencing new stressors with everything going on with the world pandemic. You may find yourself with more time on your hands. One thing to help benefit your mental health right now could be setting or resetting goals for yourself. Now is a great time to sit down and check in with your current goals or set personal goals. Psychology Today states, “Goals help us to focus our energy, form plans, and live a purpose-centered life; they give us a feeling of accomplishment.” There are many benefits to setting goals for yourself. They provide you with direction, clearer focus on what’s important, clarity, they give you control of the future, as well as provide motivation.

Studies have found your brain receives a boost in dopamine levels by setting small goals and accomplishing them. For instance, when you are able to check items off of your to do list, it makes you feel good and sends a hit of dopamine to your brain.

If you are stuck on what goals to set for yourself, A Conscious Rethink provides a great list to help you get started. When setting goals, they do not have to be overly complicated. Start small if you need to. One way to achieve goals is to set SMART goals. SMART is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time Bound. Being specific with your goals and setting a measurable goal will help be the keys to succeeding.

While you may be home self-quarantining, now is a great time to sit down and brainstorm a list of things you really want to achieve or work on for yourself. Follow the SMART formula and create a plan to achieve one or two goals.

Jill Haupts, Outreach Coordinator for The Kim Foundation

Jill Haupts is the Outreach Coordinator at The Kim Foundation. She received her bachelor’s degree in Child, Adult, and Family Services from Iowa State University in 2016. Jill joined the Kim Foundation in January coming from Des Moines, Iowa. Her previous experience includes volunteer recruitment and fundraising, as well as experience coordinating services and providing resources to adults who have a mental health diagnosis. Jill’s role in the foundation is coordinating event logistics, presenting and attending community fairs, as well as volunteer coordination and recruitment. She enjoys working in the nonprofit field and has a passion for advocacy and helping others.