Setting Personal Goals
While interstitial lung disease (ILD) might sometimes limit the things you can do or change the
way you approach certain aspects of your day, it doesn’t have to rule your life. Setting
realistic goals can help you focus on what is important to you. Making your goals tangible by
identifying exactly what you want and then breaking it down into small steps may help you in
reaching them.
SMART goal setting can give structure and direction to your plans and focus your efforts.
When setting goals, take the SMART approach:
1
S is for specific: Be clear about what you want to achieve.
2
M is for measureable: How will you know when you’ve been successful?
3
A is for achievable: You want a challenge, yet something attainable.
4
R is for realistic: Choose something you believe is possible.
5
T is for timely: Set a specific date for the goal to be achieved by.
Break Down Big Tasks
You can break big tasks into several more manageable ones to make it easier to achieve the things
you want.
Drawing up progress charts can help you plan your steps toward each goal and track your success.
You could also take some progress charts to your next appointment and ask your healthcare provider or nurse
to help you.
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Life with ILD can feel overwhelming, but we’re here to help. Call Lungs&You® to speak with a dedicated nurse who can help you get the information you need to help take an active role in your health.*
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*Lungs&You® does not provide medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider if you have specific questions about your health.