Goal Achievement - SWEET INSTITUTE - Continuing Education for Mental Health Professionals

Target Fixation: A Metaphor for Goal Achievement

Mardoche Sidor, MD and Karen Dubin, PhD, LCSW — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 22:33:22 +0000

Mardoche started to get interested in cycling. As he bikes, he started to appreciate more and more something so relevant to the work we do, every day, as clinicians. It is what we refer to in science as “Target Fixation.” What is “Target Fixation”? Target fixation is also known as “eye-steering.” It is a psychological effect that can influence our direction of travel, particularly when riding a bicycle or motorcycle.[1] Why does this happen? Here are the three main reasons why: Visual Attention[2]: Our visual attention is closely linked to our body’s movement. When we focus our eyes on a specific object or point, our attention becomes fixated on that target. As a result, our body naturally tends to move in the direction we are looking. Balance and Proprioception[3]: When riding a bike, our body relies on a combination of visual cues, balance, and proprioception to maintain stability and control. Looking in a particular direction can subtly shift our body’s balance and affect our steering input, causing the bike to lean or turn in that direction. Note that proprioception is awareness of body position. In other words, awareness plays a key role in maintaining such stability and control. Unconscious Steering Input: The act of looking in a specific direction can trigger subtle unconscious movements in our hands, arms, and upper body. These small steering adjustments, often imperceptible to us, contribute to the bike naturally following the direction of our eyes. Target fixation influences our steering and the control of the bike’s movement, not just through the above three mechanisms. Rather, also by affecting other factors, including: Our body positioning Our weight distribution Our intentional steering inputs Awareness of target fixation is key; and by consciously directing our gaze where we want to go and practicing good riding techniques, we can improve our ability to control the bike effectively and navigate safely. Now, how is this relevant to the work we do? Well, everything we do with our clients is goal-based, whether we are aware of that or not. As a result, goal achievement is key to the work we do with our patients. This is despite the fact that we, clinicians, have not been formally trained in the area of goal achievement. Now, what is the relationship between target fixation and goal achievement? Let us look: Goal achievement is a fundamental aspect of growth, development, and success. It involves: Setting clear objectives Charting a path Making progress toward desired outcomes Interestingly, the phenomenon of target fixation, often observed in activities like cycling or motorcycling, as discussed above, can serve as a powerful metaphor for understanding and achieving our goals and guide our patients and clients to do the same. Let’s explore how target fixation relates to goal achievement and the lessons it offers along the way. The Power of Focus[4]: In target fixation, the direction of our eyes and focus influence our path of travel. Similarly, in goal achievement, a clear focus on our desired outcome plays a pivotal role. By setting specific goals and maintaining unwavering attention on them, we increase our chances of reaching them. Like a cyclist intently staring at a target, our focused attention directs our efforts, decisions, and actions toward the realization of our goals. Harnessing the Unconscious Mind: Target fixation triggers subtle unconscious movements in our body, guiding us in the direction we are looking. In goal achievement, our unconscious mind also plays a significant role[5]. When we deeply internalize our goals and maintain an optimal mindset, our unconscious mind becomes aligned with our objectives. It drives us to take action, make choices, and seize opportunities that bring us closer to our desired outcomes, often without us consciously realizing it. Overcoming Distractions and Obstacles: During target fixation, excessive fixation on obstacles rather than the desired path can lead to accidents or deviations. Similarly, in goal achievement, distractions, and obstacles can divert our attention and impede progress[6]. By staying focused on our target and cultivating resilience, we can navigate around obstacles and remain on track. We learn to acknowledge distractions without losing sight of our ultimate destination. Balance and Adaptability: In target fixation, balance is crucial for maintaining control and staying on course. Likewise, in goal achievement, finding balance in our efforts, resources, and priorities is essential. Balancing dedication with self-care, perseverance with flexibility, and short-term milestones with a long-term vision, ensures sustained progress and adaptability[7]. It enables us to adjust our approach when needed without losing sight of our ultimate goal. Celebrating Milestones: During target fixation, as a cyclist reaches intermediate targets, they experience a sense of accomplishment and motivation to keep going. Similarly, in goal achievement, acknowledging and celebrating milestones along the way provides a boost of motivation and reinforces progress. By recognizing and appreciating each step taken towards our goals, we cultivate a positive mindset and the drive to continue forward. Target fixation serves as a powerful metaphor for goal achievement, teaching us the importance of focus, harnessing the unconscious mind, overcoming obstacles, maintaining balance, and celebrating milestones. By applying these lessons to our pursuit of goals, we can maximize our chances of success. As we fix our gaze on our desired outcomes, remain adaptable, and steer clear of distractions, we empower ourselves to navigate the path to achievement with determination, resilience, and unwavering focus. Isn’t this an idea worth sharing with our colleagues, our mentees, and more importantly with our patients and clients? And, please come and engage in experiential learning, through the SWEET Model, by attending one or more of the following seminars this week: Social Work Code of Ethics Mastering Genograms Cognitive Distortions and Our Clients Mastering Case Formulation The Psychotherapy Certificate Course (Self-Study) Also, join us for our upcoming CBT for PTSD Virtual Conference. [1] Bobrova, E. V., et al. “Comparative analysis of the dynamics of human postural control during fixation and pursuit of a visual target.” Biophysics 52 (2007): 248-252. [2] Samiei, Manoosh, and James J. Clark. “Target Features Affect Visual Search, A Study of Eye Fixations.” arXiv preprint […]

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The 10 CAWW

Mardoche Sidor, MD and Karen Dubin, PhD, LCSW — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 00:58:44 +0000

We are here to expand, advance, increase, and express. We are here to realize, actualize, and generate. It matters little how we put it or which word we use. The fact of the matter is that we expand, express, and generate. In fact, to put it in the most brilliant way possible, let’s use Abraham Maslow’s words, “If you plan on being anything less than you are capable of being, you will probably be unhappy all the days of your life.”[1] Yes, Maslow knows a thing or two about living, potential, happiness, actualization, and being. His Hierarchy of Needs [2] has revolutionized the world, not just in health, but in areas outside of health as well. Now, let’s look at Maslow’s quote a little deeper. One curious word is “plan,” “If you plan on being anything less…” How can anyone plan on being anything less than they are capable of being? Maslow is the tenth most cited psychologist of the 20th century. He knew what he was talking about. He operated from Reality-Based Thinking, which means he understood both intellectually and experientially that it is an Inside-Out World; that our results mirror our internal world; and anything that we are doing or failing to do can be explained by nothing other than our own consciousness. Depending on which level of consciousness we operate from, we may be acting unconsciously or consciously. This means “planning on being anything less than you are capable of being,” can simply be an unconscious process. Now, just because it is unconscious does not mean we are not responsible for it. It’s ignorance; an ignorance not without its effects; and it is ours and ours alone. As the Nobel Prize Laureate, Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Nothing in the all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance…[3]” Now, conscious decisions around planning on being less than we are capable of are not just about failing to know what to generate. Rather, it is also about failing to plan how to go about how to generate that which we say we want to generate. Be it a new behavior, or habit, or replacing an old habit, knowing what this habit is and how to create a new one, is essential. Failure to pay attention to this equals planning on being less than we are capable of. One of the tools for us to use to avoid such a pitfall is the 10CAWW. The 10CAWW stands for 10 Commandments to Answer for What We Want; it has been developed by the SWEET Institute and adopted by others for their personal and professional use. Several SWEET members have also been using the 10CAWW with great success to fully identify and successfully plan what they are choosing to be and how to generate it in the world. In addition to its comprehensive nature, its power also lies in its ability to be easily tailored to an individual’s purpose, regardless of the field. This article introduces the 10 Commandments, while subsequent articles will elaborate on each one of them. The 10 Commandments to Answer for What We Want: What exactly do you want (to do, accomplish, or generate)? Why do you want to do this? (Please ask yourself why up to 9 times, questioning the last answer, each time. This is the Rule of 9, also developed by SWEET to help anyone clarify exactly what they want and why they really want it. As you know, the more clarity the better.) When you achieve that which you want to achieve: A. How will you know that you’ve achieved it?B. What will you and others be seeing? C. What will you and others be hearing? D. What will you and others be feeling or experiencing? How important is it for you to do this? A. From 1 to 10, (10 being the highest,)what’s the number in the level of importance you attach to this? B. Why this level of importance? When would you like to see this done? What will it take for you to do this? What obstacles will you likely be overcoming as you work on this? How will you be overcoming these obstacles? What are the first three steps? What is the very first thing you’re going to do starting now? Now, onto you: What do you think about the CAWW? Aristotle, the scientist known as “The First Teacher,” famously said, “For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.[4]” Are you ready to implement it right away so you can help your loved ones and your patients do the same? Do you find you now have a tool to help any of your patients with any type of decision-making, including identifying a goal, setting it, and achieving it? We look forward to hearing from you. Meanwhile, please reach out!Karen and Mardoche [1] Neehall-Davidson, Joan. Perfecting Your Private Practice: Suggestions and Strategies for Psychologists. Trafford, 2004. [2] Mcleod, Saul. “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.” Simply Psychology, Simply Psychology, 29 Dec. 2020, www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html#gsc.tab=0. [3] King, Martin Luther. Strength to Love. Collins, 1972. [4] Aristoteles. The Nicomachean Ethics of Aristotle. The Macmillan Company, 1897.

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