Goal setting requires discipline, perseverance, and commitment, which usually come from regular practice. While it may initially seem easy, without a concrete plan, you may end up revolving around it, making no progress, and accumulating frustration and guilt about not being good enough.
Bipolar disorder and depression can further make it challenging to accomplish big things in life that others might be able to achieve in no time. However, this should never become a reason to give up and spiral into self-loathing. Instead, it should be taken as an opportunity to take calculated steps and work towards achieving smaller goals that will contribute to hitting the bigger goals.
Here’s how to make goal-setting work wonders for you:
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Set a reasonable deadline
The key to ensuring you do not overwork or overwhelm yourself is setting a realistic deadline. By gauging the magnitude of work that needs to be put into the task you are performing, you can calculate how much time it will take for completion.
Consider laying out the steps that lead to the completion of the project; it will help create a visual roadmap of what you are going to be working on in the next hours and so on. The more detailed this roadmap is, the better you will be able to scale.
It is crucial to understand that rushing every step can significantly hamper the quality of your work and won’t leave room for your creativity to take full form. Instead, focus on taking things one step at a time and celebrate the minor accomplishments.
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Set a break limit
Concentrating on what you are working on currently often becomes challenging when the mind is constantly in a rush to get over it. A great way to stay focused is to set a reasonable break time.
For instance, if you work for 45 minutes straight, celebrate it with a 10-minute break where you do not go over the work done so far. Doing so helps with stress and time management and enables you to appreciate the work you have been doing. Alternatively, you can try indulging in breathing exercises, meditation, or even taking a walk to keep yourself motivated.
- Get an active daily routine
Your sleeping, eating, and exercise patterns have an effect on your mood, and managing these becomes particularly important in the case of bipolar disorder and depression. By building an active daily routine, it will become easier to manage your mood swings while being able to take control of your life. Consider including dedicated set times for exercising, cooking, socializing, and sleeping to ensure that you are devoting time and effort accordingly.
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Reward yourself
An excellent way to continue with the hard work and dedication is to celebrate your little wins. This can include treating yourself to a shopping trip, enjoying your favorite meal, or even going out for a long walk while having an ice cream. Celebrating and rewarding your victories instills a positive shift in the mindset and acts as a source of motivation to continue working on the goals you have set for yourself.
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Get help whenever you need it
Asking for assistance or support while you are working towards achieving your goals can look like seeking mentorship for expert opinions, taking a course to upskill yourself, or even having someone help with organizing tasks. Deciding to do everything on your own can become stressful over time, and you may end up losing the motivation to continue making progress. When seeking help and involving an experienced professional in your journey, you are opting to eradicate the cycle of overloading yourself with responsibilities and eventually ending up being disappointed.
Bottomline
Setting goals is the key to ensuring you are able to stay consistent and achieve them without overburdening yourself with responsibilities. It ensures that you are constantly making progress and are able to tap into available opportunities without feeling discouraged, overwhelmed, or demotivated. Additionally, setting reasonable deadlines prevents stressful situations and enables you to take charge of the situation with more confidence.
