Mental Health: Hope and Recovery

Episode Title: How Helen and Valerie (Mostly) Outsmart Negativity

Episode 63 | Duration 47:45

Hosts: Helen Sneed & Valerie Milburn

EPISODE OVERVIEW

On the brink of the new year, Valerie and Helen do a deep search into the reasons why new year’s resolutions so often end in failure and negativity. From their exploration, the ways to outsmart negativity and to pursue something better with a positive outcome become clear and doable. They discover that the strongest course for outsmarting negativity is to replace resolutions with goals. As they bring their insights and examples to the table, the path forward with strategic goal-setting becomes clear. 

The objective of the episode is to educate and equip the listener with a large body of information that informs and inspires the creation of a manageable path to achieving a heartfelt goal. Included are strategies, skills, methods, and examples from their own lived experiences. Particular focus is on the mechanics of goal-setting: how to build and sustain a feasible plan with manageable steps. How to overcome procrastination, self-doubt, and setbacks. Mindfulness, acceptance, flexibility, and relationships are critical building blocks to outwitting the negativity and doubt that can stop all forward action. For our hosts, the single greatest way to outsmart negativity is to develop a brain that can create optimistic thoughts, nurture the positive, and develop new techniques to dismiss negative expectation.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

·      Why resolutions often fail and goals often lead to real progress 

·      How SMART goals can be a conduit to commitment and success

·      How skills such as mindfulness and acceptance keep you on track and engaged in the positive

·      How to navigate setbacks without abandoning your goals or the capacity to fight negativity

TOOLS AND TAKEAWAYS

·      Resolutions vs. Goals:  Resolutions are strict decisions without structure; goals require action, planning, and flexibility

·      SMART Goals provide a framework for effective goal setting with the following criteria. The goal should be:

o   Specific 

o   Measurable

o   Achievable 

o   Relevant 

o   Time-bound 

·      Dialectical Behavior Therapy: DBT provides a wide range of goal-seeking skills

·      Mindfulness and Acceptance: They offer many options and activities for overcoming negativity and the positive pursuit of goals.

·      Relationships: Support through individuals and community provides accountability, encouragement, and improved self-image.

MEMORABLE QUOTES

“Big ambition without an achievable plan is a setup for failure.” – Helen

“Acceptance is not endorsement—it’s simply recognizing reality as it is.” –Valerie

“Goals bring values from theory into practice.” – Helen

RESOUCES AND LINKS MENTIONED

Mental Health: Hope and Recovery Podcast, Episode 9: Goal Setting: A Necessity for Recovery https://mentalhealthhopeandrecovery.com/episode/goal-setting-a-necessity-for-recovery

Mindfulness exercise adapted from https://MindfulnessExercises.com

Website: https://MentalHealthHopeAndRecovery.com

CONNECT WITH US

Website: https://MentalHealthHopeAndRecovery.com

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms

RELATED EPISODES

Mental Health: Hope and Recovery Podcast, Episode 9: Goal Setting: A Necessity for Recovery https://mentalhealthhopeandrecovery.com/episode/goal-setting-a-necessity-for-recovery

Mental Health: Hope and Recovery Podcast, Episode 60: Dialectical Behavior Therapy—The Journey from Pain to Purpose https://mentalhealthhopeandrecovery.com/episode/dialectical-behavior-therapy-the-journey-from-pain-to-purpose 

DISCLAIMER

This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any health-related questions.

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