A couple of weeks ago, I was talking about the ‘Five ways to well-being’, I mentioned how setting goals is important for personal growth and can help us to stay motivated and focused on what’s important to us.

Whether we’re trying to improve our physical health, learn a new skill, or achieve a professional goal, setting specific, measurable goals can help us to track our progress and stay accountable.

So, if the summer evenings have started to make you think about setting some goals for self-improvement, or you’d like to start taking some small steps, to help you feel more motivated, here are seven tips you may find useful.

1. First things first, before setting goals, it’s important to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve. What is your ultimate goal? What do you hope to gain from achieving this goal? Having a clear vision can help you to stay motivated and focused.

2. When setting goals, it’s important to make them specific and measurable. Instead of setting a vague goal like “get in shape,” try setting a more specific goal like “run a 5k in under 30 minutes by the end of the year.” This will give you a clear target to work towards and a way to measure your progress along the way.

3. Large goals can be daunting, so it’s important to break them down into smaller, manageable steps. Instead of trying to overhaul your entire diet overnight, start by making small changes like adding more vegetables to your meals or cutting back on sugary drinks. This can help you to build momentum and feel more accomplished along the way.

4. Once you’ve set your goals, create a plan for how you’re going to achieve them. What specific actions will you take to reach your goals? When will you take these actions? Having a plan can help you to stay organised and focused, even when life gets busy.

5. Accountability is key to achieving your goals. Find a way to hold yourself accountable, whether it’s tracking your progress in a journal or sharing your goals with a friend. This can help you to stay motivated and on track.

6. Celebrating your progress along the way can help you to stay motivated and feel accomplished. Whether it’s treating yourself to a special meal or taking a day off to relax, find ways to reward yourself for your hard work and progress.

7. And finally, remember setbacks are a natural part of the goal-setting process. Instead of getting discouraged, try to learn from setbacks. What can you do differently next time? What have you learned about yourself and your goals?

Martin Furber is a therapist qualified in various modalities and an Instructor Member of Mental Health First Aid England wellbeing@martinfurber.com

Anyone can struggle with their mental well-being from time to time. However, if you feel you are in danger of harming yourself or others then please contact your GP, go to A&E, call the Samaritans on 116 123 or text SHOUT to 85258