ABSTRACT
This chapter suggests that patient try to generate as many smart goals as possible, in which case patient will most likely need a few more blank sheets of paper. It discusses vulnerability factors, critical incidents and maintaining factors. Once patient have done this, it is useful to consider whether the smart goals that patient have chosen would impact on the different aspects of patients life. Goal setting is a cyclical process. First, patient set some smart goals, and then test to see if the goals that patient has chosen are 'energy-efficient': that is, a good use of patient’s precious energy. The setting of well-defined goals is important because it allows to allocate energy efficiently. Reaching goals gives us a sense of achievement, and may help to alleviate some of the frustration experienced with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.
