Not everyone considers themselves a ‘green thumb’. Some of us really enjoy plants, but don’t feel confident in our efforts to grow them. But unlike a plant, goals are something ALL of us can nurture and materialize. Do you believe me?
Here’s why you should!
How Do You Approach Your Goals?
Sometimes, we approach our goals, dreams, and aspirations with the same trepidation and anxiety that we might a well-meaning house plant that was gifted to us for our birthday. We might be excited at the idea of the plant (or goal) but not have the first idea of how to make it grow and keep it alive!
When we think about nurturing something, what comes to mind?
- Anything that nourishes; food; nutriment
- The action of raising or caring for offspring
- The fostering or overseeing of the development of something
What words or ideas stand out to you?
Nourishing, caring for, fostering development, FOOD!
And we can apply all of these to our goals. We can think of growing our lives through goal-setting and accomplishment as a form of caring for and even feeding our lives.
Ok, so what are goals and why do we care about them?
Goals are something you want to achieve, the desired result for your life. And we care about them because having and working on goals is how we create the life we want. Without goals, we may feel like our life is happening TO us instead of FOR and BY us. We aren’t in control. We are untethered and may feel lost, purposeless, or apathetic.
And that is NO way to live this life, right?
And, even if you don’t have a green thumb, the process of setting and reaching your goals can look strikingly similar to nurturing or caring for a plant. Here’s a step-by-step guide from an online therapist on how to grow a plant OR a goal in your life:
First Step: Purchase the plant or seed that will lead you to your goals
Identify the goal you want to set. Write it down in detail.
Ex. I want to learn how to play piano. I want to be able to play Holiday music by wintertime which is 6 months from now.
Second Step: Make sure you have the right nutrients for that particular plant
What do you need to put in place to reach your goal? What are the conditions in your life that need to exist to make the goal a reality?
Ex. In order to learn piano, I need something to practice on (it doesn’t have to be a piano, it can be a keyboard!), and I need someone to give me lessons. I need to have beginner piano books for learning how to read music and play.
Third Step: Place the pot in the correct amount of sun
As sunlight is a key ingredient to a plant’s growth, what are the key ingredients to growing your goal? Identify what will feed your goal.
Ex. I will need to put time on my calendar/schedule every day to practice the piano. I will need to make a standing piano lesson appointment every week.
Fourth Step: Water regularly or as needed
Water is another key ingredient, though depending on the plant, you may need more or less. What are some things you need from others to ensure you reach your goal? Do you need their support, involvement, or buy-in?
Ex. To ensure I have the time and space I need for my lesson and practice, I will communicate with my partner/kids/roommate about what I need. I will ask for the space and time I need to meet my practice and lesson schedule.
Fifth Step: Enjoy its growth and beauty
As you are working towards your goal, you will begin to see it come to life. You may see bits and pieces of the goal realized, and it’s important to notice that as encouragement and acknowledgment of your success! Plus, it’s just fun to feel good about seeing the results of setting and achieving goals!
Ex. I can now play a simple song in its entirety. I ask my support people to listen to me play the song. They clap and cheer and I feel happy about my progress!
Final Step: Propagate new versions of the plant
Once you have met your goal, you will feel inspired to create new goals or expand on the goal you reached. Similar to some plants where a whole new plant can be grown from a cutting of the original, you may find a new opportunity that arises from having set and reached your original goal.
Ex. Now that I can play basic songs on the piano, I decide I want to keep going and improve my skills. I make a new goal of playing one of my favorite classical pieces, Claude Debussy’s ‘Clair de Lune’ for my friends and family at my next birthday celebration.
When you break down a goal and all the steps needed to achieve it, it starts to feel manageable. Sometimes our excitement can make it feel impossible to know where to start. Go back to these steps anytime you need to break them down. And then watch your goals GROW!
Get Support For Reaching Your Goals With Online Therapy in OR
The steps listed above can make reaching your goals easier. However, it is okay if you need support from someone else to get to the point where you can watch the growth of your goals within your life. Our caring and dedicated counselors are here to support you through every step. You can start online therapy at Discover Counseling by following these simple steps:
- Contact us to speak with a caring staff member
- Schedule your first online therapy appointment
- Build a plan for the life that you want
Therapy Services We Offer Through Online Therapy in Oregon
Our empathetic counselors offer anxiety treatment, trauma therapy, and therapy for life transitions. In addition to therapy for teens, Christian counseling, and codependency treatment, postpartum counseling. We also offer support for your partnership with premarital counseling, couples therapy, marriage counseling, and therapy for relationship issues. At Discover Counseling we look forward to helping reach your goals and start living the life that you have dreamed of.
Ready to take the next step?
We'd love to hear from you. Our therapists serve Tigard and the greater Portland area — in person and online across Oregon.
Request an Appointment