What to Do When You Deal with Mental Health Challenges During Goal Pursuit

Desiree’ Stapleton- Goal Accomplishment Made Easy

6 min readNov 5, 2023

Hello You Magnificent Being, You

Welcome to Goal Accomplishment Made Easy! Achieving our goals requires more than just determination and hard work. It also requires taking care of our mental health. Mental health plays a significant role in goal pursuit, as it directly impacts our motivation, resilience, and overall wellbeing. However, dealing with mental health challenges while striving towards our goals can be daunting. In this article, we will explore strategies to navigate these challenges and maintain a healthy mindset throughout the journey.

I. Understanding Mental Health and Goal Pursuit

Mental health and goal pursuit are intricately linked. Our mental wellbeing influences the way we approach and set goals, as well as our ability to stay focused and motivated. Research has shown that individuals with good mental health are more likely to set challenging and attainable goals and are better equipped to overcome obstacles along the way.

By prioritizing our mental wellbeing, we create a solid foundation for personal growth. A positive mindset, fueled by resilience and a willingness to adapt, is crucial for overcoming challenges during goal pursuit. Embracing a mindset shift can help us view obstacles as opportunities for growth rather than setbacks.

Action items:

Acknowledge the Connection: Recognize that mental health directly impacts your goal-setting and achieving abilities. Understand that good mental health promotes goal success.
Prioritize Mental Wellbeing: Acknowledge the importance of mental wellbeing for a strong foundation in personal growth and goal pursuit.
Shift Your Mindset: Embrace a positive mindset and a willingness to adapt. View obstacles as opportunities for growth.

II. Building a Strong Support System

Recognizing the need for a support system is vital when dealing with mental health challenges during goal pursuit. Surrounding ourselves with individuals who understand and support our journey can provide invaluable encouragement and guidance.

Friends, family, mentors, and therapists can all play a crucial role in our support system. Friends and family can offer emotional support and lend a listening ear when we face setbacks or doubts. Mentors provide wisdom and guidance, drawing from their own experiences. In some cases, seeking professional help through therapy can be immensely beneficial. Therapy offers a safe space to explore our challenges, gain insights, and develop coping strategies to improve mental health.

Locating therapy resources is easier than ever. Online directories, such as Psychology Today, offer comprehensive listings of therapists in various locations and specialties. Seeking therapy can provide the necessary tools to manage mental health challenges while pursuing our goals effectively.

Action items:

Identify Your Support Network: Identify friends, family, mentors, or therapists who can support your journey.
Lean on Loved Ones: Allow friends and family to offer emotional support and lend a listening ear during challenging times.
Seek Mentorship: Engage with mentors who can provide valuable insights and guidance based on their experiences.
Consider Professional Help: In some cases, seek professional help through therapy. Online directories, like Psychology Today, can aid in finding a suitable therapist.

III. Practicing Self Care for Mental Wellbeing

Self care is an essential aspect of maintaining good mental health during goal pursuit. Engaging in self reflection allows us to identify triggers, stressors, and unhelpful patterns of thinking. This self awareness helps us develop coping strategies to manage stress and anxiety effectively.

Cultivating resilience is another key component of self care. By fostering self compassion and self acceptance, we can navigate setbacks with grace and bounce back stronger. Mindfulness practices, such as meditation or journaling, promote mental wellbeing by enhancing our ability to stay present and alleviate stress.

Action items:

Engage in Self Reflection: Regularly self-reflect to identify stressors, triggers, and unhelpful thinking patterns.
Develop Coping Strategies: Use self-awareness to develop coping strategies that help manage stress and anxiety.
Foster Resilience: Cultivate self-compassion and self-acceptance. Mindfulness practices, such as meditation or journaling, can alleviate stress.

IV. Effective Goal Setting and Time Management

Setting realistic and achievable goals is crucial for both mental health and successful goal pursuit. Unrealistic goals can lead to feeling overwhelmed or discouraged, negatively impacting our mental wellbeing. By setting goals that are attainable and meaningful to us, we increase our chances of staying motivated and engaged throughout the process.

Effective time management is equally important. Balancing goal oriented activities with self care is essential for maintaining mental wellbeing. By prioritizing and scheduling tasks, we can allocate time for both goal pursuit and self care, ensuring a healthy balance.

Action items:

Set Realistic Goals: Prioritize realistic and achievable goals to prevent feeling overwhelmed or discouraged.
Balanced Time Management: Ensure a balance between goal-oriented activities and self-care in your schedule.

V. Nurturing Self Confidence and Self Esteem

Self confidence and self esteem play a vital role in our ability to pursue and achieve our goals. Developing techniques to boost these qualities can positively impact our mental health and overall success.

Engaging in self improvement activities, such as learning new skills or seeking personal development opportunities, can enhance self confidence. Celebrating small wins along the way also helps build self esteem. Additionally, building self awareness enables us to identify our strengths and leverage them towards our goals.

Action items:

Engage in Self-Improvement: Participate in self-improvement activities, like acquiring new skills and seeking personal development opportunities.
Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate small victories along the way to boost self-esteem.
Self-Awareness: Build self-awareness to identify your strengths and leverage them towards your goals.

VI. Seeking Help and Overcoming Challenges

Recognizing when to seek professional help is essential in navigating mental health challenges during goal pursuit. Therapists or coaches can provide valuable guidance and strategies for overcoming obstacles. Through therapy, individuals can strengthen their resilience, develop effective coping mechanisms, and cultivate a positive mindset.

Resilience, self motivation, and self discipline are key factors in overcoming challenges. By remaining committed and focused on our goals, we can overcome setbacks and stay motivated despite the difficulties we may face.

Action items:

Recognize When to Seek Help: Understand the importance of seeking professional help when navigating mental health challenges.
Therapy and Coaching: Find therapists or coaches who can provide guidance and strategies for overcoming obstacles.
Resilience, Motivation, and Discipline: Develop resilience, self-motivation, and self-discipline to stay focused on your goals and overcome setbacks.

Conclusion

Managing mental health challenges during goal pursuit requires a comprehensive approach encompassing self care, effective goal setting, and a strong support system. Maintaining a positive mindset and prioritizing mental wellbeing is crucial for achieving success while keeping balance in our lives. By practicing self reflection, seeking help when needed, and nurturing self confidence, we can overcome obstacles and experience personal growth. Remember, you are not alone in this journey, and there are resources available to support you. Embrace these strategies, stay motivated, and strive for a balanced mental wellbeing that will drive you towards achieving your goals.