Recovery is a not a straight line. It feels more like getting onto the wrong rollercoaster at the amusement park and rushing through descents, climbs, and twists that leave you feeling uneasy and out of control. 

One thing that can help you feel more steady is setting goals. Goals are not magic, and they won’t make recovery quick or easy. Instead, it can be used to provide you with greater sense of self-confidence, motivation, and a sense of control. Think of goals as an emotional tool to support your physical and mental recovery journey. 

The key is to set goals in a way that supports you and does not add another layer of stress. Good goals are:

• Realistic
• Compassionate
• Flexible 

What does that mean? 

Realistic goals are small, clear steps you can reach. They allow you to stay motivated, celebrate the small wins, and build towards larger accomplishments. For instance, after my TBI, I didn’t set a goal of not having to wear glasses again. Instead, I set a goal of doing my OT/Eye exercises four times a week and beating my personal best in the computer training games. 

Compassionate goals are created when you remember to be kind to yourself. If your goal makes you feel negative about yourself or your progress, then it is not a compassionate goal nor is it improving your recovery journey. When crafting a goal, ask yourself if this goal helps build me up or does it tear me down? 

Flexible goals can change when you change. Recovery has ups, downs and surprises. If things shift, your goals can shift too.  Think of writing your goals in pencil instead of permanent marker. 

Most importantly, goal setting is a group activity. It is important to bring your closest supporters into goal planning to ensure you are all on the same page. Your friends and family can better support you when they know your priorities and what you want to accomplish. Your family and friends may want to create their own goals that align with yours so it’s a journey you can all take together.