Want to Alleviate Anxiety? Set Goals.

During this time of uncertainty, everyone experiences a heightened level of anxiety. But what about people who were already struggling with feelings of anxiety? For many, this extra burden seems like more than they can bear. People who struggle with anxiety feel overwhelmed and powerless. After all, what’s more disempowering than a global pandemic???  

I wish I could wrap each person who reads this message in a reassuring hug to restore their sense of peace. The desire to restore power and purpose was the motivation behind my first blog post, Things Happen For You… Not To You. This is my message to you: 

• You are loved. 
• You are spectacularly beautiful.
• You are exactly as you were meant to be.
• It’s impossible to screw it up.
• Your past does not determine your future.
• Life doesn’t happen to you. It happens for you.
• Your future belongs to you.

Two years ago, my precious daughter was struggling with anxiety and crippling depression. My heart broke for her. I wanted to help, but felt absolutely powerless. That experience taught me a lot about the nature of control, including three simple truths:

1. You can’t rely on people to behave the way you want them to behave. 
2. People don’t need to behave the way you want them to behave for you to be happy. 
3. Your power comes from taking responsibility for your past and actively crafting your future.

Today, I want to share a simple but powerful tool to restore your feeling of control: setting goals.

Many people associate goal-setting with the start of a new year. But amid all the holiday craziness, it’s hard to set aside time and space for self-reflection and goal-setting. Why not take this time of social distancing to set new goals or refine old ones? 

My friend, Carmen Marshall, is a goal-setting master. Carmen is the founder of SoulCraft™ and Live Well International. Through conscious, intentional goal-setting, Carmen has designed thriving businesses that allow her to live in beautiful places like Hawaii and Bali! 

This is Carmen’s formula:

1. Set aside a block of time. Dedicate a minimum of two hours or as much as a full day to this goal-setting activity. If possible, do it with a spouse, children or a good friend. Make it fun and relaxing by incorporating candles, soothing music, coffee / tea / wine, etc. 
2. Look back to move forward. Celebrate your achievements from last year. Identify areas in your life where you are experiencing forward movement and areas that are stagnant. If you set goals last year, review them to see which goals you’ve accomplished and which are still a work in progress.
3. List 2-3 goals for this upcoming year in each of six categories:

• Health and Wellness
• Business and Wealth
• Passions and Creativity
• Relationships
• Lifestyle and Adventure
• Personal Development and Spirituality

4. Do the Crazy Thing! Carmen recently added this and I love it! Identify one brave leap that would surprise yourself.

Review your goals quarterly to check progress and add to / modify goals as needed.

Vision Board

If you want to supercharge your goal-setting, create a vision board. Words are the language of the mind. But pictures are the language of the spirit. A vision board is a pictorial version of your dreams and goals; a direct communication to your soul. 

If you are interested in finding a renewed sense of purpose, be sure to subscribe to Carmen’s business and lifestyle tips. 

Goal-setting often reveals something exciting and previously undiscovered. If you uncover something fun you’d like to share, please comment below! I look forward to hearing about your journey.