Most of us have a ‘to-do’ list of goals that we mentally look at but don’t get around to. Maybe you want to get fitter, spend more time with family, or take up a new hobby. In the summer, the warmer weather and lighter evenings tend to make us feel more optimistic. We’re energized and open to change. So forget new year’s resolutions. Summer is the right time to shortlist your most important goals and start working on them.

One: it’s best to choose no more than three personal goals. Any more than that and you won’t really be able to give them your attention. If you can, make them in different areas of your life. For example, choose one for family, one for work, and one for you.

Two: write down your goals. Chances are you already know what they are in your head. But writing down your goals makes them clearer and more likely to happen. Break down what you need to do into small, easy steps. Making a list, mind map or flow chart is good, so you can tick off the steps as you go.

Three: think about the time that you’ll have available this summer. Include evenings, weekends, and maybe even some weekdays, depending on your work schedule. But be realistic – you’ll need time for other things as well. Allow for changes in your schedule due to the kids being off school, holidays etc. Block out the time for your goals in your diary – if you don’t do this you will likely forget or get distracted.

For many, summer is a chance to get things done. We feel happier and more motivated and the days are longer. Whether you take the first few steps toward a new plan or complete a lifelong objective is up to you. But use this summer as a time to achieve your goals. And if you need a bit of motivating to get you kick-started, or keep you on track, give me a ring.

Author: Debbie Waller is a professional therapist, specialising in stress, anxiety and related issues, including gut-directed hypnotherapy to help with the symptoms of IBS. She also offers EMDR/Blast which is used for trauma, PTSD, phobias and OCD. For more information on any of these services, phone 01977 678593. 

Researcher: Rae Waller is an experienced researcher and writer with a special interest in mental health issues. Rae offers drafting, fact-checking, proofreading, and editing for anything from a leaflet to a website, a blog or a book, and can also provide diversity reading, especially for LGBTQ+ and autism-related issues. Please contact rae@debbiewaller.com for further information.