As humans, our lives are ever evolving. The person we were a few weeks ago may not be the exact same person we are today. This can be true on a small scale or on a larger scale. We are constantly confronted with different obstacles, changing situations, or even different perspectives. Some changes are within our control, while others are out of our control. So how does this affect our goals? Setting goals motivates us, contributes to our mental and physical health, and gives us a sense of purpose. Yet so often we disengage from them after a few weeks or even just a few days. If we think about our own life, it’s almost impossible to predict the obstacles and challenges that could get in our way down the line. Although this can be overwhelming to think about, there is a solution! This solution is called goal adjustment.
By being flexible and honoring the changes in our daily lives, we can be more prepared to overcome the different obstacles or challenges that come our way. We can still do the work and reach our goals. It just may look a little different than we anticipated. Research shows that the motivation to obtain a goal, as well as the willingness to alter it in response to changing situations, contributes to an overall sense of well-being, purpose in life, and feelings of daily productivity. In addition, individuals who practice goal adjustment have sustainable and successful outcomes. A helpful way to approach goal adjustment is by referring to “the 4 R’s”: review, re-evaluate, redefine, and re-engage.
Read more: 10 Ways to Manage Your Time More Efficiently
Review
The first step in goal adjustment is to review our goals. When we are reviewing our previous goals, we want to make sure that they are smart goals. This may mean adjusting the language of the goal to ensure it is clear, concrete, attainable, measurable, time-limited, and hierarchical.
Smart goals allow us to break down larger objectives into small steps. It also helps to clarify what you are working towards and how you are going to get there. When you review your goal, the purpose is to reflect on why this goal is important to you, if it is still important in changing circumstances, and why you may have established the goal in the first place.
Re-evaluate
Here we want to ask ourselves: does this goal still make sense? Maybe the goal made sense when you first set it, but now it does not. For example, new circumstances can sometimes mean that you no longer have the resources you need to obtain that goal. Now, this does not mean to throw out your goal. You just want to reflect on what is not working given the new circumstances. This reflection will give us the information needed in order to move forward in the goal adjustment process.
Redefine
Now that we have reviewed and re-evaluated, the next step is to alter the smart goal. During the review step, you asked yourself why the goal was important. Here you want to alter this goal, while maintaining its purpose and benefit to you. Remember, you can always go back to the original goal or continuously redefine it until it feels right. Redefining your goal is not a failed attempt; it is modifying and personalizing the goal to meet your needs. In the end, this will allow you to fully engage, see successful outcomes, and incorporate this goal for a longer period of time.
Re-engage
Now that we have gone through this process, you are ready to go! Let the past be in the past. Look forward with the adapted smart goal that fits the current circumstances.
Try making this 4 step process a routine. Maybe you will check-in daily, weekly, or biweekly. You got this! And remember that goal adjustment is not a failed attempt. Allow yourself to look at this practice as self-care. By setting smart goals and going through the goal adjustment routine you have the opportunity to find long-term success! I hope you are excited to see what you accomplish by integrating the 4 R’s into your life!
Ready to start working towards your goals in therapy?
Check out our services and connect with us!
Currently, our entire lives have been shifted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of putting our personal and professional goals on hold, what goals can you adjust given the new life circumstances? Join the conversation in the comments below!
- Getting to Know Your Red Flags While Dating - December 8, 2022
- What is Spiritual Health: Understanding Spiritual Wellness [Video] - October 6, 2022
- Dating with Social Anxiety: Using Pre-Date Tips to Date with Ease - May 12, 2022
3 comments
This is a great blog post, Marissa! Adjusting goals is so important. I know that I can sometimes get rigidly attached to my goals and plans and it can be difficult for me to recognize when adjustments are necessary. I love the 4 R’s as a guide through this process. Thanks for this!
Hello Marissa, I love this. It’s concrete, it makes total sense, and it puts us in a place where we control our own destinies! Thank you for sharing,best of luck in your new job ! Welcome to NYC
Hi Marissa! I have to be honest, I was drawn to your post by the beautiful picture of this planner with the word “goals” on it. ( I am a sucker for a good journal!) This is a wonderful post for anyone that struggles with setting and keeping goals. I LOVE that you describe the ways in which we can review, re-evaluate, redefine and re-engage with our goals. I struggle myself with goal setting and keeping to it mainly because I feel like if I don’t accomplish them in the ways I set them, then I failed. I really appreciate the confirmation that it doesn’t have to be this way.