I don’t know about you but I have a hard time sticking to New Year resolutions and being successful in them. I am so gung-ho and excited to accomplish them and start new habits or rid myself of old ones, but after a few weeks, or even months, I lose my motivation. I have found throughout the years that there are a few reasons why I seem to fail and I am not able to accomplish them as I had hoped. Here are some tricks and psychological hacks to be successful!
Baby steps lead to giant steps-
My goals can sometimes be a little too intense. I have learned that there is a difference between long term and short term goals. Short term goals are often the steps we take to get to those long term goals. Often, we think of a goal as a goal, but we don't see the steps it takes to get there. Taking a single goal and writing out the steps to conquer it helps us look at it from a perspective that is more manageable. An example is losing 20 pounds. That sounds like a realistically attainable goal, yet when in action, we realize it’s not just losing 20 pounds, it’s changing existing habits, exercise, and changing your mindset. To break this down as a more attainable and successful goal you can start the new year off by changing your eating habits for 2 months. Then in March, add in exercise. This way you are not overwhelmed by the dramatic change in your lifestyle and less likely to give up.
Jumping in the ocean not prepared for the waves-
Setting goals seems to be easy, we all know that. Not properly planning and preparing yourself on how to obtain that goal, however, often gets in the way. Like my example in weightloss, planning and doing some research for the right methods that work for you is essential in making it a success. Look at the different diets, ways to eat healthily, and variations of exercise. Then, pick which ones work best for you and your lifestyle as well as the ones that will be the most exciting for you to do. Picking something too far from your norm may be so much of a shock that you find you don’t like it. This makes it easier to give up. Once you pick the way you want to accomplish your goal, make sure you have a firm understanding of what you will be doing and how you will be doing it. Prepare by making shopping lists, meal plans, and purchase the exercise equipment you need.
Put it in your face-
Put consistent reminders of your goal in the places you look at the most. This will keep you motivated and serve as a positive reminder of where you are going. This has a real psychological impact in that it makes your brain keep focused on your goal and you are going to be more excited about it.
It doesn’t go out the window on the 2nd of January-
If you don’t start exactly on the first it’s not all for nothing. You can start when you are completely prepared for it, just don’t let this be your excuse to keep pushing it off. If you are active in preparing to make these baby steps your reality soon, make sure you give yourself a firm timeline to finish preparing and move into action. Make sure you stick to that timeline. This accomplishment alone will motivate you, even more, to be successful. After all, you have already put in so much work and effort, why stop now!
Setbacks are not stop signs-
Setbacks are normal. It’s ok to have them, but pick yourself back up and keep going from where you left off. When you run a race and you stumble, you don’t go all the way back to the start line, you stand up right where you stumbled and keep ongoing. When you do this, you increase your chances of completing your goal tremendously. Give yourself a pep talk, get back up, and keep going. Even if it’s weightloss and you gained weight, you might say that isn’t true for you. Ah, but you are wrong! You still have the experience and the planning ahead of where you were!
Your head doesn’t get it yet-
It takes a good month to change habits and behaviors, so your head is going to keep telling you to do what it knows and is used to. Don’t let your head control you, it’s what got you there in the first place. Think of it as training your head to do what you want and need to do and think. It will soon listen and follow you, being your biggest cheerleader!
Want more? Listen to the episode “Wrapping It Up With A Bow, Your Marriage Questions Answered”