Try to focus on your goals instead. For example, if you find yourself comparing yourself to someone else, then you might turn the comparison into a goal, such as “I admire my sister for completing that 5K. I would like to run a 5K too, so I will make it my goal to choose a 5K and train three times per week. ” You can also try asking yourself some questions if you find yourself comparing to others, such as “What do I want from this situation?” “How is comparing myself to this other person benefiting me?” and “If I can’t achieve what he or she has, will I become angry, hurt, or depressed?”
Specific. This means that your goal is something that you have described in detail and that is not vague. Measurable. This means that you can measure your goal and will have a definite way to know when you have completed it, such as lose 20 pounds, get a new job, or organize my closet. These are all things that you can tell if you did them or not. Attainable. Your goal should be something that you can actually obtain. For example, you should not set a goal to get married by the end of the year. This is something that you do not have complete control over, so it may not be attainable. Realistic. This means that your goal should be something that you can realistically accomplish. For example, setting a goal to travel into outer space would be unrealistic if you are not trained as an astronaut. However, setting a goal to travel to a foreign country is a more realistic option. Time bound. Your goal should be something that has a definite timeline. For example, lose 20 pounds in 20 weeks or apply to five jobs by the end of the month would be examples of goals that are time bound.
Imagine your ideal family. Do you have kids? Are you married? Where does your family live? Detail every corner of your dream house. Choose the colors, floors, decorations, etc. Ask yourself what you would do if you could have any job in the world. Consider what title and benefits you would want, too. Try representing your dream life using a dream board. You can use a piece of poster board to make a dream board or do it digitally with Pinterest. Place pictures, words, and symbols on the board to represent your goals. This will help you to focus your attention on your goals and surround yourself with reminders of it.
Try new foods. Learn new activities. Travel to new places and learn new people.
For example, a fear of flying may prevent you from boarding an airplane. Conquering this fear can open up new opportunities to travel to new and exciting places.
For example, living in fear of failure could prevent you from taking a new job opportunity.
For example, you could get up 15 minutes before the rest of your household and sit quietly in your living room doing deep breathing. Or, you could find 15 minutes of time to yourself in the afternoon or evening for a meditation practice.
Worrying about what other people think could prevent you from achieving your goals. For example, if you want to become a hair stylist you must go to beauty school. Your friends or parents may think that going to beauty school is a waste of your time. However, if you worry about what they think you might not become a hair stylist.
Make a list of your values and priorities so that you can refer to them often.
For example, if you set the goal to travel more often, have a certain amount of your pay automatically go to a savings account each payday. You could also dedicate one weekend a month to traveling to a new local place.
Commit time to causes that you truly care about. Find people that enjoy the same movies, books, and music as you and enjoy them together.
For example, if your spouse is the most important person in your life, make time to go on dates or have romantic nights at home.
Engage yourself instead of zoning out. Enjoy each moment as you are living it instead of thinking about the past or present.
Keep in mind that forgiving someone does not mean you are forgetting what happened or that you are saying the behavior was okay. It is just meant to give you some peace and allow yourself to let go of the anger, hurt, and resentment you feel.
Take a vacation to a place that you have always wanted to go. Take a friend or your family to a new place like the zoo, museum, or amusement park.
For example, you could be grateful for having meals, a home, a friend, or any number of things.
For example, if you finally moved into your dream home, you have to continue to pay the mortgage. Even though you have reached your goal of moving into that home, you won’t be able to continue living there if you neglect your responsibilities.
