Small steps can give life purpose, but can also be a source of stress. This CBT coping skill involves making commitments to self-improvement in a way that feels relatable, achievable and improves your mood. We have an acronym to help achieve personal objectives and has accountability to action immediately.
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G is for GUT - It is so important your goal is something you genuinely want to achieve. Are you choosing this goal because you think it’s what other people expect of you? Coming up with a goal can be challenging and sometimes feel embarrassing to share. But it’s so important because you will only have the energy to fully realise your goal if it is something you connect with. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE?
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O is for OTHERS - Have others achieved your goal or a part of it? This could be someone you know or someone you don’t. Someone you could meet and ask for advice, someone you could reach out to via social media or someone you could research by reading as many articles as possible about how they succeeded. You don’t have to do exactly what they did, but their journey and learned experience will give you some of the key steps you will need to be successful. WHO ELSE HAS ACHIEVED WHAT YOU WANT TO?
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A is for ACTIONS - Lots of action will be needed to achieve your goal. It can be helpful to break your actions down into the smallest possible tasks so that you can get lots of quick wins and feel like you are making progress towards your goal. What specific and achievable action could you commit to today? This could be as simple as reaching out to the person who has achieved your goal. WHAT ACTION COULD YOU TAKE IN THE NEXT 24 HOURS TOWARDS YOUR GOAL?
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L is for LEARNING - When things get tricky – and they almost certainly will – remember to learn from any setbacks. Albert Einstein said that when we cease to learn we cease to grow. Don’t be too tough on yourself and don’t be too proud to ask for help.
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WHY YOU SHOULD MAKE YOUR BED...
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The following video is taken from the University of Texas at Austin 2014 Commencement Address and was given by Admiral William H. McRaven. It is widely regarded as one of the most inspirational speeches ever given and has been watched tens of millions of times on YouTube. There are other, doctored, videos available with inspirational images to accompany the audio. We share the original speech here and - if you want to show friends/family later we play it from 3-6 minutes.
Watching the full speech is very rewarding and covers the following 10 lessons for life:
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1. Start each day with a task completed.
2. Find someone to help you through life.
3. Respect everyone.
4. Know that life is not fair and that you will fail often.
5. Take some risks.
6. Step up when times are toughest.
7. Face down the bullies.
8. Lift up the downtrodden.
9. Give people hope.
10. Never ever give up.
