Short, medium and long-term goals can be useful for those who want to make a change but don’t know how to begin. Goal setting can work as a tool to manage anxiety at the moment it presents itself, and it can also help an individual move to a place where their anxiety becomes more manageable over time. Here are some tips:
Know what you’re aiming for
Knowing what is holding you back and what you want to achieve in life is the first step to goal setting. Goals should be specific, realistic and achievable. If you suffer from social anxiety, an achievable goal might be to strike up a conversation with a new person once a week. If you suffer from panic attacks in certain situations, it could involve visualising the situation (Check my article about https://joannakonstantopoulou.com/visualisation-change-your-life-with-this-powerful-cognitive-tool ) and letting the emotions wash over you while you use breathing techniques to minimise the effects.
Start small
If the above example seems too overwhelming, goals can be broken down into even smaller steps. For instance, to simply greet a new person with ‘hello’ or ‘good morning’ once a week, or to make eye contact when paying for goods. Large goals can be overwhelming, so think about all the small steps which lead up to them.
Don’t beat yourself up
It’s a good idea to schedule time to practise your steps. Accept that not all goals will be met in the time frame you desire, some will take longer than others. The key is to celebrate your progress rather than focus on the negatives. Keep a journal and you will be able to see the change.
All anxiety conditions have the potential to interfere with an individual’s day to day routine if left untreated. Psychologists are experienced in diagnosing different anxiety disorders and promoting positive behavioural changes. If you are wondering how a psychologist can help you to put your life back on track, why not get in touch today?
