Using September to Reassess Your Goals

Let’s face it: 2020 isn’t really going the way we expected. When you think back to January 1, you probably weren’t expecting to be 6 months deep into a global pandemic, but that is where we are.

While January gets all the credit for being the perfect time to set goals and create habits, it’s also worthwhile to assess those goals throughout the year. September, at least in the US, is typically the height of “back to school” time, so it’s a natural transition period for many households. Even if you’re no longer in school, you can use this time of year as a fresh start or as a chance to reassess your goals for the year.

It’s also important to note that it’s okay if your only goal right now is to get through. Surviving can be hard enough right now, and if you can’t manage more than that it’s absolutely okay. It’s okay to just focus on getting through.

With that being said, if you’re feeling up to it, take some time to think about the goals you had for the year back in January. In light of all that has changed, some of them probably aren’t feasible now. Even when things aren’t this turbulent, it’s helpful to check in regularly to see if your goals are still lining up with your values and needs.

Here are some questions to ask yourself as you reassess your goals this fall:

• Is this something I still care about?
• Is this something I have the resources to do during the pandemic?
• Meeting this goal will make me feel ______________.
• What has brought me joy this year?
• What has felt draining to me this year?
• How can I make space for the emotions of this year in my goals?

Remember, it’s not bad to change course, especially in light of the current circumstances. We don’t have much control over how long things will last, but we can control where we spend our energy and what we consider important during this time.

If you’re looking for some help reassessing your goals or just need some extra support, our clinicians can help.

Want to schedule a 10-minute call with our Intake Coordinator?  Check out our scheduling link here.