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Setting targets

Setting yourself targets can help

Living with a chronic medical condition can be quite demanding.1  Beta thalassaemia symptoms and treatments require a lot of energy and time, which you might be lacking in your everyday life. With the help of targets and planning, you can focus on the important things in your life. 

If you feel you lack energy or drive, it might help you to set little targets. Furthermore, concrete targets, big or small, can make you feel as if you have taken back control of your life. Achieving your targets also gives you the experience of additional successes in everyday life - like a little injection of energy. 

Gaia, Betroffene mit Beta-Thalassämie major, blickt in die Ferne

Gaia,a patient with beta thalassaemia major, from Italy

Pfeil auf einer Dartscheibe mit Kreuz und Häkchen

What targets can you set for yourself?

Your targets can relate just as much to the management of your beta thalassaemia as to your life in general. Possible targets could include changing your eating habits, being more active or trying out new hobbies. You might want to find an apprenticeship, complete your education or start a course of studies, reach a specific target at work, move into the first apartment of your own, or become independent. Anything is possible!

You alone decide what you want your targets to look like. If your targets are related to the treatment of your condition, you should of course talk to your treatment team about them. You are bound to be able to find a solution together.

You can also find inspiring success stories relating to the achievement of targets here or by meeting with a patient organisation. Drop by and ask for tips as to how you can reach your targets. Or simply talk about your targets with other patients. You can support each other and help each other to be strong.

Setting targets outside of your comfort zone

As a beta thalassaemia patient, it can sometimes feel as though your condition is throwing obstacles in your path, preventing you from living the life you want. But you can do more than you think. Clearly formulated targets can show you how much progress you are making in your life even with beta thalassaemia.

What is important is that these targets are achievable for you – they should stretch you to your limits. Over time, you will notice that they are making you stronger and more self-confident.

Tip: Your goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.1 What exactly all that means is explained below.

Kostas, Betroffener mit Beta-Thalassämie major, beim Gehen

Kostas, a patient with beta thalassaemia major, from Germany

Look at target-setting resources

How to set targets (using the SMART method) 

Specific

The target must be specific and clearly defined. If they are not, they will not be very helpful, as they don't show you a direction that you can follow.1

Specific:

After my doctor's appointments, I would like to spend more time with my friends.

Non-specific:

I would like more social contact.

Measurable

You must be able to measure the target and the steps involved in achieving it. If you say that you want to "spend less", there is no way of measuring whether you have reached your target and when you can celebrate the fact that you have achieved it.1

Measurable:

I would like to meet up with my friends at least once a week and talk to them on the phone at the weekend.

Not measurable:

I would like more social contact.

Achievable

The target you set should be consistent with your values. If you pursue a target that conflicts with your convictions, this will act like a brake and lead to inner turmoil.1

Achievable:

I enjoy spending time with my friends, so I go to the cinema with them.

Not achievable:

I would like to meet up with my friends more often, so I go to the cinema with them even though I dislike the cinema.

Relevant

The target should be realistic. A couch potato shouldn't decide to complete a triathlon within the next year.1 Set ambitious targets but don't set yourself up for disappointment.

Relevant:

I would like to meet up with my friends for 1-2 hours every week.

(Probably) not relevant:

I would like to spend three hours with my friends every day.

Time-bound (=has a deadline)

Define a deadline by which you want to have achieved your target. This way, you will know when you will have good reason to be happy and celebrate (or not!).1

Time-bound (with a deadline):

By the end of the month, I want to have freed up more time to spend with my friends. Therefore, for this month, I plan to meet them once every week.

Not time-bound (without a deadline):

I would like to see my friends more often at some point.

Check your targets and don't put too much pressure on yourself

Your life and medical condition will change over time. This could make you want new things, and old targets might be relegated to the background. It is completely normal for you to regularly think about where you are in life and for you to adjust your targets accordingly. This is just as true for healthy individuals. Your views and interests will change. What was important to you yesterday might not be so important to you tomorrow. And don't be too hard on yourself. Pushing yourself is OK and can help you to achieve things, but being too stubborn about it won't make you happy; sometimes, you simply won't be able to do everything all at once. That's human, and absolutely normal.

Tip: If your condition or your wishes in terms of your treatment change, you should talk to your treatment team. You can set new targets for your future together.

Zwei Sprechblasen mit Pfeilen

Targets can help you to take control of your life with beta thalassaemia. You may want to confide in your friends or family about your plans. The people around you can support you and celebrate your successes with you. Think about it – your family can be there for you and support you, so you're not alone!

You can also use our Community area to get to know other people with beta thalassaemia.

Tips & Tricks

  • Make sure to set yourself easier targets, especially to begin with – this will help to motivate you!
  • Make a to-do list so you can check off each item.
  • If a goal seems too big and unachievable at first glance, break it down into sub-goals and take baby steps towards the big target.
  • Use the knowledge of your treatment team – talk with them about your targets and how you can reach them. You should also think about talking to representatives from a patient organisation.
  • Don't make goals that can be too easily influenced by external factors that you cannot control (like other people).
  • Tell the people around you about your targets and progress.
  • Give yourself a little reward when you take one step closer to reaching your target.
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Treating beta thalassaemia
If you want to know what treatment options are available for beta thalassaemia and what their goals are, click here.
Living a balanced life with your condition
Are you struggling to find happiness? Click here for tips and positive thoughts to help you achieve more balance in your everyday life.
Keep active with beta thalassaemia
Do you want to work out and play sports with your friends? Do you want to get in shape? You can, even with beta thalassaemia. Things you need to consider:
    1. Mitschang T. Goal-setting for the chronically ill: Planning for an uncertain future. Immune Globulin Living, 2016. https://www.igliving.com/magazine/articles/IGL_2016-10_AR_Goal-Setting-for-the-Chronically-Ill.pdf. Last accessed: 01.10.2024