Health · Mental Health · 4 hrs ago
Setting clear goals can help people make lasting personal changes
Personal change can start when someone considers a goal, such as feeling happier, letting go of resentment or setting a boundary.
The Transtheoretical Model describes change as a process that begins with contemplating change.
The article says inner change follows a similar pattern to practical projects, but it often needs frequent reminders of the goal.
It also describes how thoughts, feelings and behavior can reinforce one another, a connection central to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
For example, thinking that the best days are over can lead to sadness and isolation, which may deepen that belief.
Choosing thoughts such as gratitude or resilience may help shift feelings, while a clear goal can guide actions such as resisting an urge or building a new habit.
The article says many urges last about a minute and suggests focusing on the benefits of the goal until an urge passes.
Personal change can begin with contemplating that change is possible, according to Psychology Today’s account of the Transtheoretical Model.
The article says setting a clear, achievable goal is the first step in making an inner change.
It describes choosing actions that support the goal, such as creating a new habit or eliminating an unwanted one.
For personal changes, the article says frequent reminders of the goal can help keep it in focus.
It also links thoughts, feelings and behavior, and says focusing on a goal’s benefits can help a person resist an urge.
- Who
- People seeking personal change.
- What
- The article describes setting goals and choosing actions as steps toward lasting personal change.
- When
- Not stated.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- To help people achieve personal goals and shift unwanted feelings or habits.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Model
- Transtheoretical Model
- First step in inner change
- Setting a specific, achievable goal
- Personal-change reminder
- Frequent reminders of the goal
- Urge duration
- About sixty seconds in a general rule stated by the article
What people are saying
My goal is to make peace in my life
My goal is to stop punishing myself
I want to be happier.
I want a close, loving relationship.
Sources
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