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The beginning of a new year offers a perfect opportunity to reassess your road to recovery thus far, and to set realistic goals for the next year. Setting SMART goals can be an important tool in your tool kit to keep you motivated on achieving long term sobriety.
S.M.A.R.T. is an acronym that helps you set goals that are Specific, Measurable, Action-oriented, Realistic, and Timely. Which means that for each goal you set for yourself, make sure that it has a Specific outcome, and that you have a way to Measure your progress. When you set goals that can be defined with Action steps that are manageable, it ensures your goals are Realistic. Don’t forget to set Timely deadlines so that they can keep you accountable to your goals.
Adopting the framework of SMART goals for yourself makes you responsible for your own success.
The following suggested goals may give you an idea of what could be considered a SMART goal. You may take on one or all of the goals below based on your needs and preferences, or you may come up with your own set of goals that will work for you.
It’s no secret that starting the day right tends to make the rest of the day feel positive. This could include setting an alarm to wake up at a regular time each morning, followed by a healthy breakfast and/or an exercise routine.
And make sure it’s a sober hobby. Many people resort to substance use when they are bored, or to escape from their daily life. Picking up a new hobby that interests you helps ensure that you have something to do when you are bored, or looking for an escape.
Finding causes that you feel connected with gives you a great opportunity to take the focus off of yourself and instead find meaning in helping other people. Even a small act of kindness each day can brighten up your own day in unexpected ways.
On the flip side, remember those who have helped you in your own journey, and make it a habit to send them a thank you to let them know how much you appreciate them. Expressing gratitude has been shown to improve both physical and mental health in the long term.
Recovery is ultimately an inside job. Staying in therapy, reading, journaling, and seeking solutions that work for you go a long way towards taking responsibility for your own recovery. Commit to a goal of how you want to do the inner work for yourself.
Does it feel strange seeing Compassion as a goal? This could take the form of learning self-care, how to take care of yourself in a compassionate way. Small acts of self-care can ensure you are taking care of yourself physically and mentally. Metta meditation could be another way to practice this.
As you make progress on your goals, make sure to look at how far you’ve come on your journey of recovery. Celebrate even the smallest of successes to keep you going strong and steady. If you slip, be sure to forgive yourself, and then get back on your path.
Do whatever you need to achieve your goals, whether it is daily checklists, or gold stars, or writing in your journal about your daily progress, but do not feel guilty or ashamed if you fail. “Failure” is simply information that tells you something about the goal. You can change the goal into something that works for you, or create a new one that’s more realistic.
Are you ready to get serious about recovery?
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Start at John Wayne Airport, 18601 Airport Way, Santa Ana, CA 92707.
Head southeast for about 0.2 miles.
Keep left at the fork and follow signs for Rental Car Return. Continue for 0.7 miles.
Use the left lane to turn slightly left onto N Airport Way. Continue for 0.2 miles.
Use the left lane to turn slightly left to stay on N Airport Way and proceed for 0.1 miles.
Use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto MacArthur Blvd. Drive for approximately 0.5 miles.
Use the right 2 lanes to turn right onto the I-405 N ramp towards Long Beach. This will be a 0.2-mile drive.
Merge onto I-405 N and travel for about 2.9 miles.
Take exit 12 for Euclid St. Drive for approximately 0.2 miles.
Keep right at the fork, follow signs for Euclid St N and merge onto Euclid St. Continue on Euclid St for 0.8 miles.
Turn right onto Newhope St. and drive for about 1.1 miles.
Turn right into the plaza, and you will find your destination on the left: 17330 Newhope St. Unit A, Fountain Valley, CA 92708.
Start at Los Angeles International Airport, 1 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045.
Head west on World Way toward Vicksburg Ave. Continue for 0.2 miles.
Use the 2nd from the right lane to turn slightly right onto S Sepulveda Blvd (signs for I-105). Drive for about 0.4 miles.
Use the right lane to take the I-105 E ramp. Merge onto I-105 E. Continue for approximately 17 miles.
Use the right 2 lanes to merge onto I-605 S towards Long Beach. Drive for about 2.2 miles.
Take the exit onto I-405 S toward Long Beach. Continue on I-405 S for approximately 18.5 miles.
Take exit 12 for Euclid St. Drive for about 0.2 miles.
Keep left at the fork, follow signs for Euclid Street S, and merge onto Euclid St. Continue on Euclid St for 0.8 miles.
Turn right onto Newhope St. and drive for about 1.1 miles.
Turn right into the plaza, and you will find your destination on the left: 17330 Newhope St. Unit A, Fountain Valley, CA 92708.
Start at San Diego International Airport, 3225 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101.
Head east on N Harbor Dr toward McCain Rd. Drive for about 0.7 miles.
Use the right 2 lanes to turn right onto W Grape St. Continue for 1.5 miles.
Use the left 2 lanes to take the Interstate 5 N ramp. Merge onto I-5 N. Travel on I-5 N for approximately 76 miles.
Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 92B for CA-73 N toward Long Beach. Continue onto CA-73 N (Note: This is a toll road). Drive for about 16.8 miles.
Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 18A to merge onto I-405 N toward Long Beach. Continue on I-405 N for approximately 6.5 miles.
Take exit 12 for Euclid St. Drive for about 0.2 miles.
Keep left at the fork, follow signs for Euclid Street S, and merge onto Euclid St. Continue on Euclid St for 0.8 miles.
Turn right onto Newhope St. and drive for about 1.1 miles.
Turn right into the plaza, and you will find your destination on the left: 17330 Newhope St. Unit A, Fountain Valley, CA 92708.
Start at Riverside Municipal Airport, 6951 Flight Rd, Riverside, CA 92504.
Head southwest on Flight Rd. Continue for 0.3 miles.
Turn left onto Arlington Ave and drive for about 1.5 miles.
Use the right lane to take the ramp onto CA-91 W. Merge onto CA-91 W. Travel on CA-91 W for approximately 20.5 miles.
Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 34B to merge onto I-15 S toward San Diego. Drive for about 4.7 miles.
Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 96 to merge onto CA-91 W toward Beach Cities. Continue on CA-91 W for approximately 8.7 miles.
Merge onto CA-55 S via the ramp to Newport Beach. Travel on CA-55 S for about 14.3 miles.
Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 5B to merge onto I-405 N toward Long Beach. Drive for 4.2 miles.
Take exit 12 for Euclid St. Drive for about 0.2 miles.
Keep left at the fork, follow signs for Euclid Street S, and merge onto Euclid St. Continue on Euclid St for 0.8 miles.
Turn right onto Newhope St. and drive for about 1.1 miles.
Turn right into the plaza, and you will find your destination on the left: 17330 Newhope St. Unit A, Fountain Valley, CA 92708.