Setting, working toward, and achieving goals can be a beautiful and fulfilling part of life, often transforming the way we see ourselves and the world. Goals have the power to broaden your perspective, helping you recognize who you truly want to be. They invite you to bring strategy, creativity, and your determination into something larger than yourself. As we strive toward our goals, we gain insights and experiences that not only expand our outlook but also guide us toward a life that aligns more closely with our personal values.

Self-Worth

A common trap in society is associating the success or failure of our goals with our self-worth. However, our value extends beyond any single number or outcome—we are contributors to our families, communities, and ourselves. Even if your goal involves achieving a specific number, that number cannot capture the true value you bring to this world simply by being your authentic self.

Setting goals from a place of unconditional self-love brings awareness and realism to your journey. This mindset fosters a natural self-confidence that grows as you move forward. Unlike confidence based on success alone, this type of confidence arises from knowing you are moving forward to the best of your ability and enjoying the journey along the way.

Consider the drive behind the goals you set. Does your motivation come from a place of self-love and acceptance, or is it rooted in fear and guilt? Reflect on the statements below to explore what they reveal about your motivation:

1. I will love myself, even if I don’t achieve the goal I had in mind.
2. I feel others might love me less if I don’t succeed in the way I envisioned.
3. I’m pursuing this goal or change because I love life and want to live it fully.
4. The thought of others seeing me fail pushes me to succeed.
5. I’m setting this goal because I’m unhappy with myself.

Imagine what your life might look like if you began incorporating self-love into your health goals. Maybe it looks like expressing gratitude to the person in the mirror for their effort each week. Or perhaps it means reminding yourself to be gentle with yourself today. Remember, you have the strength to do hard things and the potential to achieve greatness in your life.

Momentum Matters

It’s often easier to make plans or set goals than to follow through with them. The real challenge lies in maintaining momentum, especially when the initial excitement fades or obstacles arise. Momentum is about building and sustaining energy and motivation toward a change, and it can be positive or negative.

• Positive Momentum occurs when things are going well, improving, or accelerating toward a desirable outcome.
• Negative Momentum describes a sequence of actions or events that lead to a decline or movement away from your desired goal.

Positive momentum must be created—it doesn’t appear magically. So, how can you create momentum? Research shows that experiencing success can instantly change our perception of our ability to perform and succeed. When people feel capable, their confidence and competence grow, leading to greater expectations and increased effort—factors that contribute to success. Setting yourself up for early wins can help you build positive momentum.

Setting Yourself Up for Success

When making a goal, especially a health goal, consider setting yourself up for initial success by breaking down a big goal (which might feel daunting) into smaller, achievable steps. Reducing a large goal into smaller ones doesn’t mean you’re less ambitious; it helps ensure you have a realistic path forward. Discouragement often sneaks in when we set unrealistic timelines, leading us to give up before giving ourselves a fair chance to improve.

A helpful approach is to focus on the “how” and “why” rather than just the “what.” For example, if your goal is to lose weight, rather than setting a target to lose 50 pounds (the “what”), try aligning your goal with your personal values like growth, self-respect, family, and health. Some example goals could look like:

• I will meal plan weekly on Sundays.
• I will write down three reasons why I’m grateful for my body each week.
• I will walk 8,000 steps four times a week.
• I will set a screen-time limit to improve sleep quality.
• I will track my water intake at least four days a week.

By focusing on these actionable steps, you can experience success daily, which fuels positive momentum and brings you closer to your ultimate goals.

Sending Health Your Way!

The Tula Clinical Team

Austin MS, RDN, CSR, LDN, CD
Aubree RN, BSN