Charting a Course: Setting Goals with Intention Presented by Sharon Kuehn Wellness Recovery Educator Contra Costa County Office for Consumer Empowerment

Wellness is unique to every individual! How do you define “wellness”? Sharon Kuehn Wellness Recovery Educators 7/2003

Wellness Recovery Educators 7/2003 Physical Health Relationships Friendships/Community Family/Supporters Significant Other Communication Skills Self-Expression/Creativity Spirituality/Purpose Self-Mastery Self-Esteem/Self-Love Self-Awareness Self-Care Career/Financial Security Education Housing/Environment Wellness includes… Sharon Kuehn Wellness Recovery Educators 7/2003

Make a Choice, Commit to the Course... Listen to your heart’s desire and choose one area of your life in which you will set a goal during our process today: An area which is very important to you An area that has been neglected An area in which you know you need support Sharon Kuehn Wellness Recovery Educators 7/2003

Wellness Recovery Educators 7/2003 Wellness Goal Areas 1. Where will you start your journey? Physical Health Relationships Friendships/Community Family/Supporters Significant Other Communication Skills Self-Expression/Creativity Spirituality/Purpose Self-Mastery Self-Esteem/Self-Love Self-Awareness Self-Care Career/Financial Security Education Housing/Environment Sharon Kuehn Wellness Recovery Educators 7/2003

Wellness Recovery Educators 7/2003 Dream, then Choose… 2. Allow yourself to dream… Forget about barriers and imagine what you want Let your intuition guide you State a specific goal to yourself. If you feel you can put your full intention on meeting this goal, you are ready to refine it. 3. Repeat this step until you are satisfied with your idea. Sharon Kuehn Wellness Recovery Educators 7/2003

Envision this goal with all the details you can imagine. “What you think, you become.” -Mohandas Gandhi 4. Get a clear mental picture of the goal already accomplished. Include details! Make the mental image crystal clear, vivid in your mind's eye. Play that picture over and over in your mind. Sharon Kuehn Wellness Recovery Educators 7/2003

Wellness Recovery Educators 7/2003 The Law of Mind-Action After choosing your goal, state the goal in positive terms! Affirm what you wish to attract Leave “don’t” and “won’t” out of this process! For example, “I will do 45 minutes of yoga or take a walk every evening” instead of “Watch less TV and stop being a couch potato.” Sharon Kuehn Wellness Recovery Educators 7/2003

Wellness Recovery Educators 7/2003 5. Write the goal! “The difference between a goal and a dream is the written word.” -Gene Donohue Once it goes into writing it becomes substantial and starts etching itself into your subconscious. Sharon Kuehn Wellness Recovery Educators 7/2003

Exploring the Territory… Have I clearly and decisively set my intention on manifesting this goal? What skills do I need to achieve this? What information and knowledge do I need? What help, assistance, or collaboration do I need? What resources do I need? Am I making any assumptions? What can block my progress? How can I address that? Sharon Kuehn Wellness Recovery Educators 7/2003

Charting the Course: Objectives 6. Identify the steps or markers along the path Where you are now in relation to the goal? Create 3 – 8 objectives or signposts to indicate that you are moving toward your goal Write these steps on your worksheet Sharon Kuehn Wellness Recovery Educators 7/2003

While defining the steps, Remember the Serenity Prayer! Base your objectives on what you can do to move toward your goal Recognize and accept factors that you cannot control Sharon Kuehn Wellness Recovery Educators 7/2003

Use Deadlines to Stay On Track How long will you need to complete the goal? Create a timeframe: What can you achieve in: one afternoon? one week? one month? one year? 7. Set timelines on your objectives. Sharon Kuehn Wellness Recovery Educators 7/2003

“Gather Assistance, Bypass Resistance” 8. Share your goals with select supporters You do not need to discuss your personal goals with those who will disempower you with negative attitudes Sharon Kuehn Wellness Recovery Educators 7/2003

9. Use a Daily Planning Tool: Wellness Recovery Action Plan “Using the WRAP allows me to notice how well I am taking care of myself and to consciously change my routines and activities so that I am creating the lifestyle of my choice. I’m no longer passive in situations that I don’t want or choose; I can respond instead of reacting.” -Sharon Kuehn Sharon Kuehn Wellness Recovery Educators 7/2003

Wellness Recovery Educators 7/2003 Celebrate Intention! 10. Back your plan with PERSISTENCE and resolve. Never give up, even when you hit setbacks. Use setbacks as reminders to review and revise your objectives! Reward yourself for the completion of each step! Create an affirmation which states your intention and expresses gratitude as if your desired outcome is already present. Sharon Kuehn Wellness Recovery Educators 7/2003

Wellness Recovery Educators 7/2003 Goal Setting Review Choose the general area. Dream, let your intuition lead. Make the goal specific. Envision the goal with all the details. Write the goal. Identify objectives, stepping stones toward the larger goal. Set a time frame. Gather support and assistance. Build the goals into your daily plan. Persist! Be well! Celebrate your successes! Sharon Kuehn Wellness Recovery Educators 7/2003

Wellness Recovery Educators 7/2003 Contact Information Sharon Kuehn Wellness Recovery Educator Contra Costa County Office for Consumer Empowerment (925) 957-5143 sharonkuehn@sbcglobal.net Sharon Kuehn Wellness Recovery Educators 7/2003