As part of our Mental Health Awareness Week celebrations, we’ve been hearing from a selection of our Mental Health First Aiders who have been telling us all about their thoughts and experiences in relation to certain topics.
Today’s topic is motivation, as we focus in on how goal-setting and a sense of achievement can help boost us mentally and push us to enjoy and experience new things.
Why motivation matters:
Research suggests strong links between achievement and our mentl wellbeing, with Mental Health Foundation finding a that a sense of purpose and accomplishment helps to boost both our self-esteem and life satisfaction.
Studies have shown that completing even the most basic of goals and tasks can boost mood and wellbeing. Conversely, research has also found that a lack of clear goals can be a significant cause of stress for us.
Goal-setting helps us idetnify what we want to achieve and helps create the sense of accomplishment that drives us to do more. Here, our Mental Health First Aiders share their experiences of this and how even small steps can make all the difference.
Setting goals, achieving happiness!
Our Chaplain, Joan Urwin kicks things off today as she focuses in on how her intent on trying new things with her husband has helped create a sense of wellbeing.
“Starting ballroom lessons so late in life with my husband is an example of how goal-setting has helped me mentally. It’s something we enjoy doing together, but getting involved we’ve also met new people and we have a laugh when we don’t get it right.
“We’re thrilled at our new skill, and have to work at some of the challenges that the dancing brings. We’re looking forward to using our new skill on holiday, too!”
Goal-setting can be a useful motivational tool both inside and outside the workplace. Lisa English is a Senior Programme Lead (Clinical), and notes that she is part of a team who are currently working on short-term contracts. Lisa hints at how they tackle this source of stress, noting: “Our team is all about goal-setting and working collaboratively. We keep each other going. Touching on yesterday’s theme of the importance of socialising, she also expands “It helps the team to meet up socially every few months to discuss things too.”
Touching on how achieving and working with others in the workplace can also boost us mentally, Michelle Cummings, Biomedical Scientist, says that being “At work with like-minded people, with the same goal of getting through all the work so patients get their results brings great job satisfaction.”
And rounding us off is Anya Dyson, Patient Experience Facilitator, who encapsulates the massive potential of goal-setting in relation to motivation.
“Setting goals has allowed me to get to where I am now. After starting goal-setting a few years ago, I have managed to get my driving license, bought a house and have two amazing dogs.”
Join us!
We’re extremely grateful for the help our Mental Health First Aiders have provided us in helping make this series of articles. Raising the profile of mental health in the workplace is a key responsibility of our MHFAs, alongside providing support and signposting where appropriate – and we’re always looking for more!
To find out more about the role of MHFAs, it’s well worth checking out our recent item on them here.
Alternatively, if you’d like to play your part in helping us build a more supportive workplace, you might want to become a First Aider yourself. For line managers, we’ve even launched a new dedicated 1-day session. To check out dates, times and locations of these sessions and sign-up, just use our dedicated registration form.
