Achieving goals feels good – it is inherently satisfying to exercise your skills, talents, and abilities to achieve what you desire in your life (Emmons, 1996). In addition, achieving goals that are consistent with your interests and core values, i.e., meaningful goals, enhances feelings of well-being and also satisfies your basic psychological needs of experiencing competence, autonomy, and relatedness (Sheldon & Elliot, 1999). Goal attainment also enhances well-being by positively influencing other facets of your life as described below (Sheldon et al., 2002): Changes in your self-concept (e.g., you view yourself and your capabilities in a totally new way) Changes in life circumstances (e.g., you gain valuable new opportunities or a new intimate relationship) Changes in basic attitudes or philosophies regarding living, which may transform your general mood and well-being Approval from others that enhances your global assessment of yourself So, how does one choose mean...
Authored by Dr. Harpreet Duggal, a board-certified psychiatrist and expert in self-managing depression, this blog offers practical strategies for treating depression beyond medications and therapy. It explores key elements such as healthy living, positive psychology, relationships, personal values, strengths, communication, and overall wellness. Please note that this blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional treatment advice.