Setting Goals and Staying Engaged

        In my blog post “Discovery,” I announced that I would share my learning process on various topics. The first topic must be about goals. Determining a goal is the first step in a process fraught with distractions, detours, and obstacles. However, staying engaged in the pursuit of a goal is critical to its completion. I will use my goal of creating the book “Hip Replacement Adaptive Equipment and the Sport of Recovery: A Patient’s Perspective” as an example.

Set a Goal:

        Before my hip replacement surgery, I wanted more information about recovery after surgery and long-term life changes. The info the surgery program provided was too generic and focused on a shopping list of adaptive equipment and a schedule of appointments. Using Google yielded the same information, surgery patient-created YouTube videos lacked focus, and books on the subject failed to provide the patient perspective I wanted. Following my surgery and recovery, I decided to address the shortcomings of the information sources I found. I need to write a patient perspective and make videos. Videos can be embedded in e-books, so there is my goal – create an e-book with videos!

        People say, “The goal should be well defined and realistic.”

        I say, “Oops! I have never done any of the things needed to accomplish my goal!”

        A goal journal helps me keep track of the top prize and all of the steps needed to acquire it – get the free PDF “uduforu Goal Journal Page” under “downloads” at uduforu.com!

        Learn to ask questions. If you find answers that are not helpful, you need to ask better questions. You will discover new questions and answers as the learning process progresses. Start with, “What do I need, to do, or learn?” and “Where do I find it, or help?” Write or type notes along the way to keep track and address new topics. If you can keep track of everything in your head, the objective is too easy, or you underestimate the workload required. Do not be surprised when a new goal interrupts the current process. Make to-do lists and stay organized. I was excited to cross out steps and get closer to publishing my e-book with videos!

Stay Engaged:

        I get overwhelmed and intimidated by the tasks before me at times, or my brain has had enough and spins in place, unable to proceed. Recognizing when to take a break, retrace steps, or switch to a different task will help prevent burnout. Resist urges to force progress or abandon your goal – resume the pursuit when you are in a better mental space. Talk to friends and family, watch a movie – binge-watch the whole genre, do whatever you need to, no matter how long – days, weeks – to reset your attitude and continue. Observe and listen to what is around you. The time away may reveal new insights and perspectives.

        Do not give in to impatience when the finish line is in sight! Using shortcuts will waste time when you need to fix the careless mistakes they enable. Not fixing errors is a choice, but you will know you did not do your best, and a do-over may be expensive or not possible. Instead, focus effort on maximum quality and cross the finish line as you built it. Enjoy your achievement, reflect on your journey and the learning process you created!