Make a list
Lists are a great way to stay on track. Write down some things you would like to accomplish this summer and then begin collecting any items you may need to accomplish your goals.

Develop Your Action Plan
Take one goal at a time. Break it down a little further and jot down those things that you need to do or obtain to accomplish your goal. For example, if your is to plant a garden, jot down the plants you would like to have and everything you need to plant your garden. If your goal is to eat healthier, decide one or two things you need to cut back on and what else you plan to do to gain more control over your diet.

Post Your List

Post your list on the side of the refrigerator as a constant reminder of the things you would like to get accomplished this summer. Do your best to spread your goals out over the summer and stay on track.

Reward yourself
When you succeed in achieving a goal, be it a big one or a small one, make sure to pat yourself on the back and treat yourself with something special or celebrate with a loved one or friend. Perhaps a nice evening out to dinner.

Think positively
Positive thinking is a major factor in success. So instead of mulling over things that didn’t go quite right, remind yourself of things that did.

Setting goals for ourselves is an effective way to create motivation, helps to facilitate healthy coping, and gives us something to look forward to. In facts, goal setting is part of overcoming the symptoms associated with mental illness or addiction.

To help you determine what goals to set, think about:

• What’s important to you?
• What are your hopes, dreams, or aspirations?
• What would you like to do more of?
• What would make your health better?
• What would make you feel better inside?
• What you could change to feel better about you?
• What relationships could be better?
• What does being happy mean to you?
• What area of your life would like to improve (e.g. relationships)?

To make your goal-setting more effective, use the SMART approach:

• Specific
• Does your goal answer who, what, when, where, why, or what?
• Goals should be very specific and clearly defined
• WHO is involved (you, a family member, friend, or someone else)
• WHAT would you like to accomplish
• WHERE will you accomplish the goal
• WHY have you decided to make this a goal (this is an important one - write down how you feel before the goal and how accomplishing the goal will make you feel)
• Measurable
• Is your goal measurable
• Your goals should allow you to track your progress and measure the outcome.
• Achievable 
• Goals should be challenging, but achievable.
• Goals work best when they are neither too easy or too difficult.
• Relevant
• Is your goal worthwhile? Only you can determine this.
• The goal should seem important and beneficial to you.
• Time-based
• Your goal should state when you plan to accomplish it (When)
• Your goal should have a time limit that makes sense. Don't expect too much too soon, but don't procrastinate either.
• Set a reasonable deadline.
• Deadlines will keep you motivated.

Stay Positive

You have the courage and strength within you to reach your goals and dreams. If you can dream it, you can do. You just have to believe. Believing in yourself is a key ingredient to most things in life, especially reaching your goals and full potential.

Avant Psychiatry has great confidence in YOU!