SMART Goals and Chronic Pain: What are your goals?

Absolutely! And I used to make all my reports use SMART goals in annual reviews back when I could run a sawmill. It works. My example is baking bread. I discovered, after I was pretty seriously down, that I liked to cook…and bake bread…wow. You get TO EAT IT! So, it took a few times but I figured out what my start and stop times were. I fitted the steps to baking 4 loaves of bread to that schedule. I mix dry ingredients…rest up. I mix in the wet, rest up. It’s done first rise, divide, rest up. Etc till it’s baked. I now do that pretty natura…if I have a job I want yo do I think it into steps. I SEE the steps. Just like I used to see a naval evolution or a sawmill process. I SEE it. Then I DOit.

I used this very technique baking my Christmas breads last week. It does work and is rewarding to feel an accomplishment.

Hey, all! Happy New Year!! 🎉

With the New Year, comes resolutions for many. Resolutions that aren't based on SMART Goals may have a tendency to flop. My SMART goal in the New Year is to work harder at changing my behavior and response to things that have a negative impact on me, such as symptoms, or someone's behavior or comments. I know I can do better than I have and it'll help me manage more effectively. One of my tactics is to use the 5 P's:

Pause
Process
Perspective
Patience
Plan

How have you put SMART goals in place for your New Year? Might the 5 P's help you too?

I never heard of the 5 P's. I like them. I think those are very helpful in dealing with people or situations and will help in trying to stay less stressed.

@tnelson157 Yes indeed, agreed. The 5 P's are posted on my fridge as a constant reminder, even my 20 year old daughter has benefited from seeing them there. She just got to London for a term abroad and recited the 5 P's to me on the phone. I felt good about that for her. Simple, but effective.

Chronic pain greatly benefits from the 5 P's. Getting aggitated and frustrated from our pain amps up our systems resulting in more pain.

@tnelson157 You mentioned the 5 P's helping you get less stressed. Do you think they can help you manage chronic pain? In what other ways do you plan to apply them?

Acceptance is a real hard one for me. I worked in construction, machine repair and operation, heavy equipment all my life. I know how to do alot of things and now find myself trying to adjust. I am not confident that I can learn to do something else. Even so the feelings of being useless and helpless are real and the circumstances are real. I manage to get a few things done on the good days, although honestly, I would not hire me if all I can do is mow the front yard on some days. I am a bit lost now. The other thing is I need to rest allot to recover and or deal with the pain even on the good days. On the bad days I can barely move. Not being able to do more I feel like at a burden to others. They often remind me of how little I am accomplishing. I am hard enough on myself and the comments really hurt. I've told them this. It doesn't stop the need for things to get done or the comments for which I can do nothing about.

@betterway Hey there, I hear you loud and clear, and so do many on Connect who fight daily and try our best to focus on function over feelings. Thank you for expressing yourself.

How are you currently managing your symptoms? Do you speak to a psychologist?

Hey there @misspeach, I'm checking in on you. How have you been doing? Are you still practicing self-care rituals that help to keep you motivated?

People don't often think that self-care can be a SMART goal. On the contrary. Taking one small step each day to remind yourself, "YOU matter", no matter how poor you feel, is an important place to begin goal setting.

I look forward to an update from you soon! 😊

My SMART goal for the week is to wash one to two windows (from the inside) each day. I've decided I'm sick of looking at how dirty they are and polka dotted with water marks from the sprinkler. My husband has a heavier load due to my situation which is why it's important to me to do what I can, and do it wisely for my best outcome.

That takes problem solving, brain storming and patience. Pacing and moderating took me time to accept because I had to retrain my brain. I still struggle with it because some days my old B-self brain wants more than my body can produce. Recipe for disaster! So, I've added my window washing plan to my daily schedule for accountability. It keeps me balanced with activity and rest.

What SMART goals have you been thinking about, but haven't implemented yet? What is bothering you and you'd like to do it yourself? Anything?

Hi Rachel -
I love your plan. I wasn't SMART the past 3 days - tried to overcome 3 weeks of neglect in my gardens in just 3 days. Today, I pay the price - couldn't even complete my stretches in one go tis morning! Hoping I can make it to my long-scheduled eye appointment. Otherwise it is going to be a Slowww... day - looking at trying the watercolors already on my work table - in an air conditioned room.
Sue
PS - Once recovered, maybe I'll do my inside windows 2 by 2. Will hire out the porch & outside as nearly all require a ladder - not the place for my 70+ husband, or my one-handed daughter.
Sue