MARIE T. ROGERS, PhD., PA

If you are thinking about changing your life for the better, a good place to start is by identifying and writing down your goals. What exactly will the end-result look like? Most people are seeking some version of happiness or emotional well-being. That might look like any combination of the following:
A sense of purpose in life Higher self-esteem and self-confidence Enthusiastic about getting up in the morning Working toward satisfying goals Better relationships Adopting a healthier lifestyle through nutrition and exercise Financial prosperity
Feelings of fear, sadness, and frustration tend to be roadblocks to achieving your goals. Effective ways to overcome these roadblocks and end any attempts at self-sabotage is to explore your feelings, wishes and dreams, envision your future, be open to new ideas and different ways of doing things, surround yourself with positive, inspiring people, and give yourself permission to experience failures and setbacks on your way to being the best you. Keeping a journal and getting into the habit of regularly reviewing your goals will help keep you on track. Set small, measurable goals along your journey toward success. Remind yourself that experiences are neither good nor bad; they are simply lessons. Learn the lessons and move on. Perhaps you have tried on your own to accomplish important goals and continue to feel stuck in a particular area. This may be difficult to understand for people who tend to be successful and able to overcome great hurdles. They feel somewhat defeated by their inability to accomplish what may seem like a simple goal when they are able to enjoy great success in other areas. For example, how can one manage a large company and perhaps effortlessly lead and motivate a large group of employees, yet not be able to get a 9 year old under control? Sometimes it makes sense to find a professional counselor to work with as you journey through the change process.