How to set goals in a pandemic

The first month of the new year has come and gone. Some of us took time to reflect on 2021 and set new goals and intentions for the year ahead. Others probably feel deflated from the never ending pandemic and have chosen not to think about any sort of self-improvement. It has been hard, and it will continue to be. Although this is definitely a massive, world-wide hardship, we will always be faced with adversity. So today, I thought I’d share some ways I am changing the perspective from negative to positive, amongst the things I can control.

Focus on how you want to feel. Instead of getting overwhelmed with massive goals and achievements, think about how you want to feel and work backwards. Once you’ve identified the feelings you want to experience, you can come up with some actions and ideas on what that might look like. Think about the activities that would achieve that or the people you want to surround yourself with to feel that way.

Create a to-do list. I love a good to-do list. I write out a list at the beginning of each week and usually indicate which day I hope to accomplish that task. That way, I stay on track, it doesn’t get lost in my head because I can visually see it, and I feel really good when I cross one off the list. I enjoy writing out the lists much more than typing them digitally.

Focus on smaller goals or intentions for the day or week rather than months or years. Rather than neglect self-improvement, choose smaller more achievable habits. This past month I wrote in my journal (using The Five-Minute Journal), every day! I’ve never done that before. But, I made a point to do this small thing that takes minutes out of my day to complete. In the long run, this will help me feel my best, but it is done in a small, doable way, every day!

Share with those around you. Whether it be confiding in a colleague about professional development you wish to accomplish this year, or finding a workout buddy amongst your closest friends, let those around you know what you’re working towards. It always helps to have other people cheering you on and holding you accountable. You may even come across someone else looking to also work on something similar, which can only help you both get there with success.

No matter how you’re feeling, especially those deep into these cold, winter months, remember the quote, “you’ve survived 100% of your bad days”. Spring will come. It will get brighter. Covid will not keep us in this holding pattern of life forever. Continue to take care of yourself for survival but, don’t forget to try to thrive even in a small way each day. Stay hydrated, sleep more, listen to your body, and before you know it, you’ll be feeling even 1% better.

Yours in self-discovery,

Rachel