Goal setting is a powerful practice, one that has the potential to change your life — but knowing where to start can be tough, and that’s what we’re here to help you with.
In this article, we’re going to discuss why setting goals in the new year is so important, the benefits of goal setting in eating disorder recovery and share with you some of the most powerful (but practical) goals you can set this year.
Why is goal setting important?
Goal setting is an essential practice for achieving both personal and professional success in life.
Success means what you want it to, as some people define success as external factors (think, promotions), while others consider success to be the measure of internal elements (think inner peace). Both of these and more can be achieved through the practice of goal setting.
Goals can also serve as the light at the end of the darkest tunnels in our lives.
It can be really easy to get wrapped up in our current suffering, the burden of the different challenges we’re simultaneously experiencing. But, life is more than what we’re going through now, and there are plenty of good things waiting for us on the other side of all of “this.”
Goals help us to remember that.
Benefits of goal setting
There are many benefits of goal setting for everyone, but for those in recovery, the benefits can be especially powerful at helping bring balance and peace to you and your life.
The most universal benefits of goal setting include:
- Giving us a clear destination and directions to get there
- Helping us to identify and prioritize what matters most to us
- The clarity in decision-making and better time management
- Improving confidence and self-esteem
- Relieving feelings of inadequacy and lack of fulfillment
- Providing motivation, excitement and inspiration
Now that you know why goals are so important, you might be ready to start setting a few. If you’re having a hard time coming up with ideas for goals, though, we’ve got you covered.
Goal setting examples
One of the best things about goal setting is your goals can be as specific and personal as you’d like them to be. There’s no such thing as a goal too small or too big because they’re all subjective to the person setting them. In other words, goals can be whatever you want.
Some of the most common goals for eating disorder recovery are:
- Getting rid of all weight scales in your home
- Developing a birds-eye view of recovery so you don’t lose hope
- Focusing on how you feel, rather than how you look
- Surrounding yourself with people who love and genuinely support you
- Giving yourself permission to walk away from toxic relationships
- Embracing a full-spectrum view of health, rather than only what you eat
- Exercising in a way you genuinely enjoy (not because you hate your body)
- Connecting with peers and mentors in your recovery community
- Remembering you are more than your body
- Learning to love all of you
If you’re ready to take the next step in your recovery, we’re here to help.
Start achieving your goals today
Seeds of Hope is a premier eating disorder clinic that specializes in providing customized care to those struggling with anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating disorder, avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED).
We know that the recovery process looks a little bit different for each individual, which is why every treatment plan is personally tailored to meet your unique needs and preferences. The most effective treatments don’t try to isolate the issue, they treat the person as a whole — as we do, here at Seeds of Hope.
Our full continuum of care includes partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, individual therapy and weekly meal support groups in order to best prepare you to maintain a healthy relationship with food. In addition to treating your body, we’re also going to treat your mind and soul.
To speak with one of our compassionate specialists today and learn more about which of our programs is the right fit for you, call us today.