Goals give focus and assignment to look forward to in a way that is crucial for mental wellbeing. They give life purpose and confer feelings of hope and optimism. Whether they are long term or short term, goals make you get up in the morning and push negative thoughts aside. Having goals in our life is good for our wellbeing. They provide us with an opportunity to go on a journey which we can learn from and enjoy. It helps a person appreciate their capabilities, gives life a purpose and increases optimism. As such, it can reduce stress and help reduce the chances of developing depression. Carrying out goal-related tasks gives a person focus and increases happiness. The link between hope and goal setting goes both ways. Thinking about and planning your goals increase a feeling of optimism that boosts mental ability to face the future. A person with hope is able to define goals and plan how to achieve them.
Furthermore, hope will help a person work through difficulties and survive. Studies have shown that setting clear achievable goals and reaching them are positively related to mental well-being. Setting and achieving daily goals will invariably add up to some other major goal accomplishments at the end of the year. And it has to be done at the beginning of the year. By setting regular, meaningful goals you position yourself to encounter flow experiences where whole consciousness is absorbed with a particular activity, thoughts of time and other primitive needs are forgotten. Positive psychologists generally agree that the more flow experiences a person has, the happier they are. Goals give us something we can actively get involved with, which is an essential ingredient to a flow experience. Clearly defining goals which are challenging enough guarantee motivation. Goals and the flow experience have a good relationship. By setting goals we enhance our chances of experiencing flow. By experiencing flow, we are more likely to achieve our goals.
However, developmental theories related to goal setting and striving suggest that there are complex relationships between goals and well-being. When a discrepancy occurs between the ideal goal state and current reality, there could be a negative effect. The discrepancy can be managed through pragmatic goal revision so that the negative effect is reduced. However, if individuals do not engage in goal revision when goal striving is not successful then they may experience poor mental health. Furthermore, during the process of goal striving, individuals may experience roadblocks to the goal that are stressful which may be particularly evident for individuals who perceive the obstacles as something that cannot be overcome. Goals serve as ideal states that individuals strive toward such that the discrepancy between a goal and current reality should expectedly furnish a motivating force. Individuals can reduce this discrepancy by modifying the ideal self so that it is more similar to the real self in our goal setting by realistically appraising our circumstances.
When a goal can no longer be met, individuals can involve reconstructing the goal as well as disregarding stimuli related to the unmet goal. The following strengths may assist in setting up goals such as curiosity, creativity and love of learning that assist in considering which goals to set, how you are going to achieve them and ways to overcome potential difficulties. Bravery can help you reach for those huge goals you have never quite got off the ground. This strength will enable you to act, in spite of your misgivings. Persistence is of enormous value that guarantees achievement of goals. Humor enables you to laugh if things go wrong, as you see the lighter side of life. Prudence can help you set the right goals as you are able to consider whether the goal you think you want now is one you will want in the future. Being authentic means you will remain true to yourself when setting your goals. It ensures you are doing them for yourself and not other people.
Another way you can make use of personal strengths when setting goals is to actually set a goal dedicated to developing a particular strength. For instance, you might want to work on being kinder so decide to volunteer at an organization that helps other people, learn a new trade or undertake a new course at the university. Whatever goals you set for yourself, enjoy the process and reflect on how they are benefiting you and others along the way. This has enormous benefit for our mental wellbeing as we navigate the beginning of a brand new year. As we enter the new year with its many challenges, we should also endeavor to set new goals to confront these challenges in a way that guarantees and sustains our mental wellbeing.
Dr. Adeoye Oyewole
adeoyewole2000@yahoo.com
+234 803 490 5808 (WhatsApp Only)
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