Setting Goals During Periods of Uncertainty

During any period of uncertainty (whether related to COVID-19 or not), goals can be an important tool to get you through a period of uncertainty (even if it is the last thing on your mind).

Taking care of yourself and feeling like you are moving forward and progressing is vital for your wellbeing. Goals can help with this. Goals can help you feel more in control and give you a sense of accomplishment. They can also help you manage periods of uncertainty by helping you make progress (even if it is slow progress) and overcome feelings of anxiety.

Anxiety often originates from a lack of control. Control is an illusion. Setting (manageable/realistic) goals can help you create “control” which can help you manage that anxiety.

Set New Goals

When things are changing day-to-day it is important to make your goals achievable. Break your goals down into bite-sized chunks with an end goal in mind so that you have a sense of achievement as you progress towards your end goal. You don’t need to be dreaming massive big picture goals, even the smaller things that you would just like to do are worthwhile goals.

Choose achievable goals based on where you are and what you can realistically do. If you get stuck/blocked, you can break the goals down even more into micro-goals, or alternatively, pivot.

Update Existing Goals

During periods of uncertainty, your existing goals might not be working our for you right now, or you might have hit a significant roadblock. So review and reflect on any goals that you are currently working on.

Think about:

• What can you do differently to achieve your goal?
• What can wait?
• What do you want to do now, instead?

When dealing with uncertainty for any existing goals (and new goals that you make) build in a system of check-ins with your goals, get feedback, and create realistic plans to help you pivot and manoeuvre through any unexpected events. This will help create a feeling of safety and satisfaction of your work during any period of uncertainty.