Mental wellness is a wonderful component of overall wellbeing, and investing time in nurturing it can be life-changing. But how do you even start that process?

Turning goals into accomplishments can seem challenging, but it doesn't have to feel like a never-ending uphill battle. Think of it as breaking a mountain into smaller hills, making the journey more manageable and achievable by tackling smaller challenges or objectives along the way.

Goals are unique and tailored to you. Not all goals look the same, nor do they have the same duration. Depending on what is your trajectory, you can set short-term, mid-term and/or long-term goals.

Short-term goals: These goals can be achieved relatively quickly, and can usually range from a few months to a year. Some examples include reading a book or enrolling in a course.

Mid-term goals: These goals usually range from 1-3 years. Some examples include saving up for a vacation or training for a marathon.

Long-term goals: These goals take a longer time to develop and take lots of discipline and commitment. Long-term goals usually range 3+ years and examples include pursuing advanced education, buying a house, reaching a career milestone or preparing for retirement.

Goals can also pertain to different aspects of your life, from family and social goals to financial goals, personal development goals and broader health and wellbeing goals. If the idea of setting goals feels overwhelming, take a step back and start small.

Begin by brainstorming your personal goals. This can be a fun task, and you don’t have to do it alone. Invite a friend to join you, set a picnic, and have the brainstorming be a relaxing task, an activity that isn’t a chore but one that stems from self-love. Start by being open-minded and jot down all the goals that come to mind, no matter how random or out of left field may seem. Take into consideration all different types of personal goals and timeframes. If you are doing this inside, try writing ideas out on sticky notes and sticking them on the wall to view them from a distance.

What brought you to this brainstorming session? What factors led you to this moment? Consider the why of wanting to establish personal goals, and you will discover your core motivator. Be honest with yourself. While it's tempting to set goals based on societal expectations or what looks good on paper, genuine and lasting motivation comes from goals that reflect your true desires. When you have clarity about your reasons for pursuing a goal, you are more likely to remain committed, even when faced with obstacles. This is because a strong “why” provides internal, intrinsic motivation, which is more sustainable over time compared to external rewards or pressures. Understanding your "why" will give your goals deeper meaning and drive you forward through challenges.

Review all the goals you've written down and think about which ones truly represent your core desires.

Picture how it would feel internally during the process of achieving your goal and after accomplishing it. Imagine what your life looks like after achieving it. How do you feel?

Break down each goal into small, manageable tasks that help you progressively get closer to achieving them. SMART goals are a science-based approach to setting effective and achievable goals. SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Setting SMART goals can help you sustainably achieve your objectives. For a full guide on SMART goals, click here.

Put your selected list of goals somewhere you’ll see them every day. This could include sticky notes on the fridge, mirror markers, a screenshot turned into a lock screen, a message to yourself on the first page of your notebook, and so much more This should be a positive reminder of your intentions and how this journey is an act of love for yourself.

If you have an established habit, e.g. journaling every night before bed, and you’d like to add a new habit to your life, e.g. practising meditation, try hooking the new habit onto the established one (“Whenever I journal, I will also practise 5 minutes of meditation afterwards”). This creates a habit pattern, making it more likely that you give yourself the 60 days it takes to establish a new habit by easing it into the already established one.

Making your goals time-bound can help with procrastination or letting your goals fall between the cracks of progress. Allocate a specific timeframe and schedule your goals.

It's normal to encounter obstacles or plateaus when working towards a goal. One effective way to manage frustration and avoid giving up is by seeking support from those you trust. Many people find it easier to commit to and maintain their goals when they have someone reliable to confide in. A supportive person who consistently checks up on you, uplifts, praises, and encourages you can make a significant difference in your journey. Sharing your progress and challenges with a trusted individual not only provides emotional support but also helps keep you accountable and motivated.

Remember to review and adjust your personal goals regularly. Life is unpredictable and constantly changing, so our goals should also change with us. Don't be hard on yourself if life gets in the way or if something that mattered to you in the past matters less now. Staying flexible and adjusting your goals allows you to stay on course and navigate through difficult times.

What’s most important is to be kind to yourself. The point of setting personal wellness goals is to better yourself, so be conscious of doing these acts out of kindness and love for yourself and your wellbeing. With these tools, you can achieve anything. Just remember to approach each task with your unique style and genuine intentions.