Jason Drake, LCSW-S, BCN, EMDR Trained

Dec 29, 20235 min

Not Just Setting, but Reaching Our New Year's Goals: Why Starting Small is Key

Updated: Apr 9

As we approach a new year, many of us start thinking about the resolutions we'd like to make. While it's great to set ambitious goals for ourselves, it's important to make sure they're realistic and achievable.

Starting with small, manageable steps can be the key to achieving those big dreams.

Why Start Small?

Starting small can actually help you achieve more in the long run. When we set large, complex goals for ourselves, it can be difficult to figure out where to start.

We might feel overwhelmed or unsure of how to move forward. But by starting with small, achievable steps, we can build momentum and gradually work our way toward our larger goals.

Additionally, when we start with small goals and achieve them, we experience a sense of accomplishment and motivation that can help keep us going. Instead of feeling discouraged by how far we still have to go, we can feel proud of how far we've come.

Suggestion # One: Break It Down

One of the best ways to start small is to break down your larger goal into smaller, more manageable steps. For example, if your goal is to run a marathon this year, don't start by trying to run 26.2 miles. Instead, start by running for just a few minutes each day and gradually increasing your time and distance.

Breaking your goal down into smaller steps not only makes it more manageable, but it also helps you track your progress. Each time you achieve one of those smaller goals, you can see that you're making progress toward your larger goal.

Suggestion # Two: Make a Plan

Another way to start small is to make a plan. Instead of just stating your goal, create a plan for how you're going to achieve it. This might include setting specific deadlines or milestones for yourself, creating a schedule or routine, or breaking your goal down into smaller steps.

Having a plan can help you stay focused and motivated. It can also help you overcome obstacles and setbacks along the way. If you know exactly what you need to do to achieve your goal, it can be easier to stay on track and keep moving forward.

Suggestion # Three: Prioritize Your Mental Health

While it's important to set goals and work toward them, it's also important to take care of yourself along the way. Prioritizing your mental health can actually help you achieve more in the long run.

When we're stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, it can be difficult to focus on our goals or stay motivated. By taking care of our mental health, we can improve our mood, decrease stress and anxiety, and feel more energized and motivated to achieve our goals.

Some things you can do to prioritize your mental health include:

  • Getting enough sleep

  • Exercising regularly

  • Eating a healthy, balanced diet

  • Practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga

  • Connecting with others, either through socializing or therapy/counseling

Counseling for Teenagers, Young Adult, Families, & Marriage Counseling

Katy, Texas

If you're looking for support to help you achieve your goals and prioritize your mental health, Katy Teen & Family Counseling is here to help.

Our team of experienced counselors offers counseling for teenagers, young adult therapy, family therapy, and marriage counseling in Katy, Texas.

We can help you identify your goals, develop a plan to achieve them, and support you as you work toward those goals. Contact us today to learn more about our services.

Katy Teen & Family Counseling: 70+ Combined Years in Specializing in Teen, Young Adult, Family, & Couples Therapy

Katy, TX & Houston

Setting goals is an important part of our growth and development as human beings. It also gives us a sense of accomplishment which can also help our overall emotional health.

Sometimes the goals we set revolve around our emotions. Things like depression, anxiety, panic attacks, social anxiety, ADHD, trauma, PTSD or other challenges can keep us stuck. Setting goals to improve in those areas can make a significant difference in all aspects of our life.

Call us today. We are here to help.

The Katy, TX location, Katy Teen & Family Counseling, is located right off of I-10 and Grand Parkway/Hwy 99 in Katy, TX.

Sugar Land Teen & Family Counseling, located in Sugar Land, TX, is conveniently located off of US 90 and Dairy Ashford Road.

If you are ready to meet with one of our teen therapists or young adult therapists or our neurofeedback therapist, all you need to do is follow these three simple steps:

  1. Contact Katy Teen & Family Counseling

  2. Talk with one of our caring therapists 

  3. Begin the healing process today!

Other Therapy and Counseling Services Offered at Sugar Land Teen & Family Counseling

At Katy Teen & Family Counseling, we provide a variety of therapy approaches that are supported by research and shown to be effective. Some of the teen therapy and young adult counseling we offer are:

Board Certified Neurofeedback Therapy

Anxiety counseling 

Anxiety/Panic attacks 

Neurofeedback for ADHD/ADD

Peak performance (optimal academic brain performance)

Peak performance (optimal athletic brain performance)

Therapy for depression 

Therapy for trauma

PTSD counseling ​

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)

Trauma Therapy 

TSD Treatment 

Depression Counseling 

Therapy for Anxiety 

Therapy for Social Anxiety 

Therapy for Panic Attacks 

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR Therapy)

Trauma treatment 

PTSD treatment 

Counseling for anxiety

Anxiety/Panic attacks 

Depression therapy ​

Group Therapy for Teens

Teen Depression 

Teen Anxiety 

Teen Social Anxiety 

Teen Panic Attacks 

Body Image

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Therapy for trauma

PTSD counseling

Therapy for anxiety 

Anxiety/Panic attacks 

Therapy for depression

Couples Therapy & Marriage Counseling

Couples Therapy and Marriage Counseling can be very effective. The secret ingredient to success is each person willing to look at themselves and work to do things differently, together.

When a marriage counselor or couples therapist has this to work with, the success rate can be very high.

Sometimes life will throw challenges at us that create situations that put strain on our marriage or relationship. It may be due to:

  • Choices and actions that have been made by one partner.

  • Financial downturn in the economy creating financial strain.

  • Feeling like you're growing apart.

  • Feeling like you don't have as much in common as you used to.

Whatever the reason may be, marriage counseling and couples therapy can help. Couples therapy and marriage counseling has also been found to work in less time than individual therapy.

If you've worked hard for this relationship and find that there are now barriers in the way of maintaining a healthy relationship, contact us at Katy Teen & Family Counseling. 

If you've worked hard for this relationship and find that there are now barriers in the way of maintaining a healthy relationship, contact us at Sugar Land Teen & Family Counseling. 

About the Author

Jason Drake is a Licensed Clinical Worker - Supervisor (LCSW-S), Board Certified in Neurofeedback, EMDR trained, and a Certified Brain Health Professional through the Amen Clinics. He has provided therapy to teens, young adults, and families since 2003 and is the Owner & Lead Clinician at Sugar Land Teen & Family Counseling, Katy Counseling for Men, & Katy Teen & Family Counseling.

He specializes in leading teams of high performing therapists who also specialize in teen therapy, counseling young adults, and family counseling.

Jason is also a leader in the field of teen, young adult, and family counseling providing expert coaching and technical assistance to teen Residential Treatment Centers across the country.

Jason is also a regular contributor to various magazines and publications lending his expertise to various mental health related topics. You can check these articles out on our "Featured Articles" service page on our website.

He has also been a guest on Fox 26 Houston and on the podcasts, "Grow a Group Practice" with Alison Pidgeon, "Let's Talk With Jennifer B", and the "Marketing Matters" podcast with Ashley Brock.

If you are ready to start teen counseling or young adult therapy call, text, or email us today!

Email: info@katyteenandfamilycounseling.com 

Phone Number: 281-519-6364

www.katyteenandfamilycounseling.com

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