How to Set and Achieve Your NDIS Goals: A Step-by-Step Guide
Empowrd • November 4, 2024
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is designed to empower participants by providing funding to achieve personal goals that improve quality of life. Whether it’s gaining more independence, enhancing skills, finding employment, or participating in the community, setting clear and achievable goals is crucial. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you identify, set, and achieve your NDIS goals effectively.
Step 1: Identify Your Goals
The first step is to reflect on your personal needs, desires, and long-term aspirations. Think about different areas of your life, such as:
- Daily Living: Increasing independence in daily tasks like cooking, cleaning, or personal care.
- Education and Employment: Advancing skills, finding a job, or pursuing educational courses.
- Health and Wellbeing: Improving physical and mental health through therapies, exercise, or wellness programs.
- Community Participation: Getting involved in local events, clubs, or social groups.
- Relationships and Social Skills: Building or strengthening personal relationships and improving communication skills.
To get a clearer idea of your goals, ask yourself questions like:
- What activities do I enjoy and want to do more of?
- Are there specific skills I wish to learn or improve?
- What are my short-term needs versus my long-term aspirations?
Step 2: Set SMART Goals
Once you’ve identified your goals, use the SMART framework to structure them. SMART stands for:
- Specific: Clearly define your goal (e.g., “I want to improve my cooking skills”).
- Measurable: Set a metric to track your progress (e.g., “I will learn five new recipes within three months”).
- Achievable: Ensure the goal is realistic, considering your current resources and support.
- Relevant: Make sure it aligns with your broader needs and aspirations.
- Time-bound: Set a timeframe to achieve the goal (e.g., “within six months”).
By setting SMART goals, you create a clear roadmap that not only defines what success looks like but also keeps you focused and motivated.
Step 3: Create an Action Plan
After defining your goals, develop an action plan that breaks down each goal into smaller, manageable steps. For instance:
- Identify resources and supports: Consider what NDIS-funded supports, community services, or personal resources you need to achieve your goal.
- Engage with support providers: Collaborate with your support coordinator, therapists, or support workers to outline specific actions and timelines.
- Set milestones: Divide your goal into stages and set milestones to track your progress, making the goal more manageable and less overwhelming.
For example, if your goal is to become more independent in daily living tasks, your action plan might include learning to cook simple meals, practicing budgeting, and using public transport.
Step 4: Monitor Progress Regularly
To ensure you’re on track, regularly review your progress. Ask yourself:
- Am I moving closer to my goal?
- Are there any barriers, and how can they be addressed?
- Do I need additional support or resources?
Use tools like progress trackers, daily logs, or regular check-ins with your support team to stay accountable. If needed, schedule formal review meetings with your support coordinator to discuss your progress and adjust plans accordingly.
Step 5: Adjust Goals as Needed
NDIS plans are flexible and designed to evolve with your changing needs. If circumstances shift or you find that a goal is no longer relevant, modify it. This might mean refining an existing goal, setting a new one, or reallocating resources to better meet your needs.
For example, if you’ve achieved your initial goal of cooking basic meals, you might adjust your goal to focus on learning advanced cooking techniques or preparing meals independently for a week.
Step 6: Celebrate Your Achievements
Reaching an NDIS goal is a significant achievement, so take time to celebrate your success! Recognising progress, no matter how small, helps build confidence and motivation for future goals.
NDIS Goal Planning Template
This template is designed to help NDIS participants identify, set, and achieve their personal goals. Use this tool to plan your goals, create an action plan, and track your progress over time. Make adjustments as needed to ensure you are moving towards achieving your desired outcomes.
Final Thoughts
Setting and achieving NDIS goals is a dynamic process that requires reflection, planning, and adaptability. By identifying what matters most to you, using SMART criteria, and creating actionable steps, you can make meaningful progress on your journey. Remember that achieving goals takes time and persistence, so keep engaging with your support team and adjusting as needed.
At Empowrd, we are committed to helping NDIS participants set and reach their goals through personalised plan management and support coordination. Contact us today to discover how we can support you on your NDIS journey.
NDIS Plan Management and Support Coordination
At Empowrd, we are here to make your life easier. Based in Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsula, we offer a personal, accessible and holistic approach to NDIS Plan Management and Support Coordination.
We provide Plan Management services across Australia, assisting with financial administration, and offer Support Coordination to participants in Port Lincoln and Eyre Peninsula, connecting them with the right supports and providers. Our goal is to ensure your NDIS plan works for you, so you can focus on achieving your goals and doing what you love.
Want to Become a Support Worker?
Our Independent Support Workers Education Portal provides everything you need to navigate the NDIS, find work, and confidently offer services as an Independent Support Worker. For just $65, you will gain access to comprehensive guides, essential resources, and ready-to-use templates to streamline your work.
Inside, you will find:
- A clear breakdown of how the NDIS works
- Tips for finding jobs and delivering services
- Step-by-step guidance on invoicing and support planning
- Ready-to-edit templates for quotes, service agreements, invoices, and case notes
Need just the templates? You can also purchase them separately as standalone resources.
I hope you enjoy reading this blog post.
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