Changing Goalposts: Moving Into Recovery So You Can Move Into Full-Impact Living

Mar 13, 2022

Changing goalposts means examining your values and identifying your priorities, as well as asking the question: “Am I living according to my values and priorities?” What does your answer mean about your current life situation? Perhaps you need to carefully evaluate how your use of alcohol and/or other substances is blocking you from fully experiencing life. Are you experiencing your life? Or are you just surviving?

If you do not like your answer, the time has come to change your goalposts. What do you want to be doing with your life right now? Are you living your best life, or are you barely surviving while using alcohol and/or other substances? You can move from surviving to thriving. You do not have to be a victim of your circumstances. Choose change. 

What Is Recovery?

Recovery is a choice to overcome the behaviors and mental blocks that keep you from living a better life. Struggles with addictive behaviors are typically a result of coping with trauma and/or mental illness. You did not choose this struggle. Your struggle probably began small and then started taking over your life. However, you have a choice. You can remain stuck, or you can choose recovery. 

Recovery is not just about your abstinence from alcohol and/or other substances. Recovery is about taking life one day at a time and making each choice count for a better future: your future and the future of your family.

At Renaissance Ranch, we utilize the 12-Step ideology and believe the first step to recovery is recognizing powerlessness and making a decision to accept help. Recovery begins with an admission of the problem and asking for help. Recovery does not happen overnight. It requires fortitude and a willingness to change. 

Changing your goalposts means deciding to change your current life.

Identifying Priorities and Values

In the Bible, Paul talks about running the race to win the prize. You do not choose recovery to get halfway there, only to use alcohol and/or other substances on occasion. Rather, you choose recovery for your better life, to win the prize of fully living.

So, what do you value? What do you want to achieve? What are your priorities? These are just a few questions to ask yourself as you begin questioning whether or not recovery is what you want. No doubt, just by reading this article, you know your choices are not working for you and you want to make a change. Yet, you may still be trying to figure out what you want. So, ask yourself some questions:

  1. Are you happy?
  2. Is your family happy?
  3. Are you proud of who you are?
  4. Are you where you want to be in your life?
  5. Are alcohol and/or other substances getting in the way of your life?

If you have answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may know already that what you are doing is not working for your life.

Making Goals

Making a goal for recovery is your next step. You have admitted the problem, so choosing recovery is next. Then, decide what you want with your life. Try making specific and attainable goals. If you want to go to college, start with the first step by researching programs and deciding what you want to study. Make your goal as specific as possible. 

Utilizing SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) can help you develop goals that are well-planned and more easily achieved because of the way they are laid out. Remember, you may want to take into account your resources and the effect these goals will have on your life and the lives of your family members. Identifying goals after choosing recovery may help you stay motivated throughout your recovery process. A sustainable and enjoyable life begins with recovery. 

What Is Full-Impact Living?

Full-Impact Living is facing life on your terms and being able to fully experience the world as it exists, not blurred from the use of alcohol and/or other substances. When you are in the throes of a substance use disorder, you are not fully experiencing life. You are surviving and numbing yourself from the pain of life. 

It is possible that you are also numbing yourself from the joys. You are missing out on key experiences, not only with your family and friends, but also in your work and personal interests. Perhaps you no longer recognize your personal interests. Those healthy interests are still there hidden by your use of alcohol and/or other substances. You do not have to hide from life any longer. Choosing recovery brings you back to life.

Moving into recovery by evaluating your priorities is an act of changing goalposts and deciding to live. Full-impact living requires awareness and willingness to change and engage with your life. Overcoming abuse of alcohol and/or other substances can seem overwhelming, but help is available. You do not need to suffer alone. At Renaissance Ranch, we know the struggle of overcoming addiction and are ready to help. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction to alcohol and/or other substances, help is available. Our counselors are here for you, ready to take your call. At Renaissance Ranch, we offer treatment for every step of the recovery process, beginning with detox and providing aftercare through our Band of Brother Alumni program. Reach out to us today by calling (801) 308-8898 and see how we can help you change your goalposts and move into full-impact living. You deserve a better life.