The Power of Dreaming Big

The other habits I want to develop: exercise four times per week; socialize with friends two times per month on weekends; talk through with therapist how I feel; be aware of the triggers that set off my thoughts; develop better coping skills; travel for pleasure at least once a year.

The last goal is this: Do one new thing every three months to test my competencies meeting new people: a) outside the mental health field, b) something I ordinarily wouldn't do, c) where I can meet as wide a variety of people as possible, d) not job-related, and e) purely for fun.

This level of detail could seem mind-boggling to you. All the books I've read, all the experts agree that when you set a goal, it should be as specific as possible, down to the last vivid detail. I kid you not that when I was 35 years old, I had the goal of becoming an expert on recovery from schizophrenia, among a number of other things. I wrote down one complete paragraph that painted a picture of where I saw myself at 40 years old. Everything happened except for "being married or having a significant other."

So I want to tell you that "the magic of thinking big" works like magic.

Years ago, I felt sad that some people would settle for less in their recoveries, so as not to be disappointed if they failed. In my book, it's better to try and fail than to not try at all. Having schizophrenia, it's like you're in a horserace, and the gun goes off, but your horse doesn't move. We have extra hurdles to clear that are unique to each one of us. By giving yourself permission to dream big, you win the race just by being in it.

I'm not absolutely certain I'll go back to school for a Masters in rehab counseling. I could stay at the library, and then work for a mental health non-profit when I retire. The point of writing this down is to create options to choose from. Some are going to remain strong possibilities; others will fall by the wayside. That's why it's important to be flexible; and adaptable to change. One goal I took off the list when I revised my plans was the idea I had about getting a diploma in image consulting when I was in my forties.

To misquote an expression [though I'm sure I've got it right], "If you don't know where you're going, that's where you'll wind up."

Again, I recommend the Julie Morgenstern book. And I urge you to be vocal with your psychiatrist about setting treatment goals.

A long life to you, and May you have what you desire.