The new year is still so new – we’re only two weeks into 2020 but already those resolutions are starting to feel a little too onerous; a little too ambitious to maintain, and so begins the gentle slide back to our habits and routines.
If this sounds familiar to you, but you’d truly like to enjoy the real success of achieving the goal you set for yourself, read on. Here are 3 tips to help keep you on track and going strong:
1. Revisit the payoff and the cost. What is your why? How will you feel when you achieve your goal? Take a moment to close your eyes and put yourself there. How we feel about something is a greater motivator than what we think about it. On the flip side, what is the cost if you do not? Be honest with yourself and understand what is at stake. Often it’s disappointing ourselves (again!) that is the greatest cost.
2. Break the steps to get to your goal into smaller pieces. Progress doesn’t mean we have to go full steam ahead at a break-neck pace. It’s better to keep that forward motion going by taking smaller steps than to totally quit. What might this look like?
Let’s say you’ve resolved to go to the gym 5 days/week for 1 hour each time, but now that you’re back at work and things are kind of crazy, that plan isn’t sustainable. Instead of giving up the whole idea of getting in shape, break it into smaller steps. How about if you went to the gym once per week, and did a 20 minute workout or walk at home 3 days per week? It’s not failing when you amend your plan into something you can live with for the long haul. That’s not wimping out. That’s wise.
3. Get visual. Choose images or words, or both, that represent your goal. Whether it’s an organized office, in-control finances, a fitter bod or whatever, post images or words that represent that in your world. A sticky note with a key question in a key location can work wonders to coach yourself to stay with your plan. For me that would look like a sticky note on the container of almonds that simply says, “Again?” Or a meaningful image on your bathroom mirror is a daily reminder of your why.
And now for the zinger – A Course in Miracles tells us –
“Every decision you make stems from what you think you are, and represents the value that you put upon yourself.”
By honoring the goal you’ve set, you are honoring YOU. YOU matter. YOU are worthy. Make decisions and daily choices that reflect the inestimable value that you have; that you are, because you, my friend, are worth your very best efforts.
