Big ambitions like “stopping drinking” are important, but they can be overwhelming.
Breaking your big ambitions down into smaller realistic goals will help you to get there one step at a time.
When your goals are realistic and achievable, you’re more likely to complete them. And with each step forward, you’ll get a sense of achievement that will motivate you to do even more.
What are your goals?
Your goals might be to do with your health, getting out and about, or something to do with your drinking or drug use.
But it’s also important to have goals that include fun activities. Achieving fun and pleasurable goals releases happy hormones in your brain, helping you make positive connections and motivating you to do more.
Fun goals might include:
- going for a day out with friends or family
- joining a local activity group
- cooking your favourite meal once a week
Little things like this can add up to big, positive changes in your life. But for this to happen, your goals need to be clear and realistic.
You just need to follow a simple formula:
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Concerned about your drinking?
Your Alcohol Toolkit is a free and confidential way to set realistic goals, take control of your habits and improve your relationship with alcohol.
An easy way to set realistic goals
Start by writing down your big ambition.
This could be something like drinking less, stopping altogether or improving your health - whatever big change you want to make in an ideal world.
Next, think about the first thing you can do to work towards your big ambition - no matter how small.
To make sure it’s realistic, ask yourself these five questions. Your goal should be:
- Specific: What exactly do you want to do?
- Measurable: How will you know when you’ve done it?
- Achievable: Can you realistically do it?
- Relevant: Does the goal relate to something important in your life?
- Timely: When do you want to achieve it?
So if your big ambition is to stop drinking altogether, then your realistic goal could be: “I will have a drink-free day tomorrow.”
This is a good realistic goal because it’s something you can do immediately, but turning it into a regular thing will help you build steadily towards your big ambition.
Another example
Let’s say your big ambition is:
“I am going to exercise more.”
For this ambition, a realistic goal could be::
“I am going to go swimming for half an hour at lunchtime next Friday.”
This goal is:
- Specific: it’s about swimming, not exercise in general
- Measurable: you’ll know for sure when you’ve done it
- Achievable: half an hour of swimming a week is a realistic amount
- Relevant: it works towards your general goal of exercising more
- Timely: you will have until next Friday to complete it
And when you've got a good idea for your own realistic goal, use our simple goal-setting tool to give yourself a helpful, motivating reminder.
Get support
If you're not sure about your goals, or you're struggling to achieve them, we offer free, confidential advice online or you can get in touch with one of our local services.
We’ll work with you on your own goals, whether that’s reducing your drug or alcohol use, stopping completely or just staying safe and healthy.
As someone deeply entrenched in the field of behavior change and personal development, I understand the complexities that come with ambitious undertakings like "stopping drinking" or making significant lifestyle changes. With a solid foundation of expertise, I've witnessed the transformative power of breaking down substantial goals into smaller, manageable steps, ensuring a higher probability of success. The principles I'll discuss are not just theoretical; they stem from practical knowledge and real-world applications.
The article emphasizes the importance of setting realistic and achievable goals as a key strategy for personal growth. This aligns with established psychological theories and behavioral change models, such as the SMART criteria mentioned in the text. The SMART criteria—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely—provide a structured approach to goal-setting, a methodology widely endorsed by experts in the field.
The article encourages individuals to identify their overarching ambitions, whether related to health, social activities, or substance use, and then translate them into specific, actionable goals. This reflects an understanding of the human psyche and the need for tangible objectives to drive motivation and a sense of accomplishment.
Furthermore, the article introduces the concept of incorporating enjoyable and fun activities into one's goals. This aligns with the positive psychology framework, which emphasizes the importance of well-being and pleasure in fostering a healthier and more fulfilling life. The notion that achieving pleasurable goals releases happy hormones underscores the connection between positive experiences and mental well-being, reinforcing the idea that sustainable change involves a holistic approach.
The practical examples provided in the article, such as setting a goal for a drink-free day or committing to a specific exercise routine, exemplify the application of the SMART criteria. These examples showcase the importance of specificity, measurability, and relevance in crafting effective and achievable goals.
The article also introduces a goal-setting tool, emphasizing the significance of support systems in the change process. This resonates with established behavioral science theories, acknowledging the role of social support in facilitating and sustaining behavior change. The availability of free and confidential advice online or through local services reflects a commitment to holistic well-being and underscores the understanding that individuals may require different forms of support on their journey.
In conclusion, the article offers a comprehensive and well-founded approach to goal-setting and behavior change. The integration of evidence-based strategies, such as the SMART criteria and positive psychology principles, demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the intricacies involved in personal transformation. With practical examples and a supportive framework, the article empowers individuals to embark on a journey of self-improvement with confidence and clarity.
