What are goals?

Goals are the things you want to achieve with support from the NDIS and other supports and services. Setting goals will help you stay focused. Achieving short-term goals creates milestones towards your long-term goals, which may require more planning and time to accomplish. 

The NDIS will build your plan to accommodate your goals. It is important to spend time thinking about your goals to be sure you have covered everything you would like to achieve. 

Why are my goals so important to my NDIS plan?

Your goals state what you are reaching for in different areas of your life. They also determine how the NDIS can help you make them a reality. This gives the NDIS room to assess which supports will be most beneficial to you, and therefore, which supports can be paid for with funding from your NDIS plan. If a support does not align with your goals, it cannot be paid for using your NDIS funding.

What are the best ways for me to set my goals?

Talk it out with someone

It might be a good idea to talk it through with someone you trust who knows you very well like a friend or family member. A support coordinator would also be a wonderful resource in helping you identify what your next objectives should be. Often, other people in our lives can shed light on things we may not have thought to even consider before!

Reflect on your goals and celebrate your wins

Think about what you have achieved and take the time to celebrate! If you write them down or record them, you can always reflect on the progress. Have you met your goals already or are you still making progress towards them? Understanding where you have been and where you are in the context of your goals can only make it easier to achieve them! 

What should I consider when setting my goals?

As you’re setting your goals, it’s important to consider a few things:

What would you like to achieve or improve?

NDIS goals can address several needs: social, physical or independence based. 

It is worth taking the time to look at your current situation and consider what could be improved in relation to your disability.

Do you want to meet new people and make friends, or do you want to start a fitness journey? In order to achieve that vision, you may need to create necessary changes. 

How long am I giving myself to achieve these goals?

Having both short and long-term goals in your NDIS plan is ideal and could prove to be more achievable, so that you are always looking forward and aiming for something new. Give yourself a realistic timeframe! This is important in ensuring that you have the space for all progress great and small.

Do my goals allow room for growth?

If you set broad goals you will be able to make the most of your funding, because it doesn’t require one specific support. As opposed to a very specific goal of learning how to play basketball, perhaps consider a goal like “learn how to play a sport” or “improve my overall fitness and health.”

Do I need steps and strategies that focus on my overall goal outcome?

Sometimes, being so aware of our needs makes us focus on treatments rather than what we want to get out of those treatments. Some will set physiotherapy as their goal, when what they really want is to walk without assistance When you set your goals, as the end result rather than the support you think you need, it widens the scope as to how your overall goal can be met with a greater range of supports.

Are my goals a personal choice?

Personal goals are the things you want to accomplish for yourself in any area of your life. Each individual will set different goals, all of which can be achieved in different ways. The journey can be very satisfying and motivating as you reach each target. 

What is it that you really want and that you hope to achieve? Some personal goals could be: 

• I want to be in charge of my life by making important decisions for myself.
• I want to have better relationships with others in my life and those that are close to me.
• I would like to maintain a healthy lifestyle and improve my level of fitness.

Have my goals changed since I last set them? 

During the goal setting process, it’s always good to reflect on your current goals and consider any new goals you would like to achieve. Your short and long-term goals will be forever changing based on your current situation and outcomes you are aiming for. It’s important that you check in from time to time to be sure you are still goal focused!

Still feeling stuck?

The Blitzit Plan Manager team is always happy to assist in any queries you may have when it comes to setting your goals. Give us a call at 1300 966 119, send us an email at hello@blitzit.com.au or sign up now. For regular updates on the NDIS and what Blitzit can do for you, sign up for our newsletter here.