We all need something to inspire us or work towards that makes us happy, no matter how big or small!

For many of us, beginning a new year means changing classrooms, starting school, changing to a new school, beginning university or tertiary education or beginning a new job – setting goals need to be relevant to you and kept simple to ensure that you experience some success along the way!

In saying that, whatever it is that we want or need, has to be achievable – we set goals for ourselves within our limits, while making sure it’s not out of our reach – to make it realistic!

To ensure that the goals for yourself or the person you support, are realistic, you need to consider the following things:

* Timeframe – we all work at our own pace and some people do things quickly and others take time to work through each step. If you provide support to others, you need to allow for each individual’s own pace and help them along the way to achieve what they set out to do. It might mean breaking things down into smaller steps to reach their goal.

* Make it simple – we don’t want to over complicate things so it’s really important to help the person find just one or two goals that are important to them right now. Each goal might then be broken down into simple steps. One step at a time is achievable and allows for them to experience some success along the way.

* Be practical – When setting goals, you need to consider if it’s something that you need or want to learn and that it is relevant (is motivating to want to achieve). Goals are timely – often when you pick out your goals and begin to work on them, you may find others that crop up that need to be worked on too. It’s okay to reflect and start again if it means that it’s more practical.

* How to know when you’ve achieved the goal – Some goals take a little while to achieve and if broken down into many steps, could take some time. If it’s something that requires the use of visual aids/schedules or waiting/waiting in line, there will need to be plenty of opportunities for practise and praise for attempting these skills. When you feel that you are able to work at something on your own or feel more confident and independent, then it’s likely that you’ve achieved your goal.

What are your goals to begin the year? Have you considered what works for you?                           Share your story!

Written by Sherri Cincotta