Well, it’s that time of year again: New Years means new resolutions for many people. I think it has become more of a ritual that many of us follow. It is time to reflect on the successes and failures of the year that is passing. And it is also a time to undertake activities, goals that we would like to achieve with enthusiasm, vigor and enthusiasm.
The list can be something like this:
As January rolls around, we begin to put our plans into action only to discover, or should I say rediscover, thoughts of giving up: “I can’t do it”;
then the excuses: “I want to do it, but life got so hectic I couldn’t find the time.”
These read familiar, don’t they?
So why can’t you keep and achieve your resolutions successfully?
It is because you are trying to create a “change”; break an old habit; an old way of life to adopt a new one. And that can’t be easy for most. It’s easier to fall back into the same old comfortable patterns than it is to walk on the treadmill for 15 minutes or read that book on financial planning.
So there are a few other reasons; according to a recent survey:
When is the right time to start? How, where and what to do to start?
For many, the challenge is to stay consistent until the goal is reached. Willpower alone is not enough.
So what does one do?
I think we all know that there is no better time to start than now. RIGHT NOW, not when you are less busy or after Monday; all they are, are excuses. So do not procrastinate if you are serious about what you want. Start writing your goals.
Start by educating yourself and learning a bit about what you hope to achieve, so you can come up with a plan for yourself. If you want to start investing and have no idea where to start, start talking to people you know who might be good at it. Learn about what they are doing just to get an idea of what may or may not work for you. Google investment articles, books, websites, financial advisors that may be able to educate you.
Arm yourself with knowledge and while you do it Remember: you don’t need to know EVERYTHING to get started. Simplicity in goal setting and achievement works well.
If you’re looking to lose weight, you don’t need to have read everything about weight loss. Sometimes too much information becomes more of a hindrance than a help. I have always found that a good place to start is to go back to basics. Don’t get caught up in everything everyone is preaching or whatever is trending nowadays. For example, if you’re trying to lose weight, remember that there’s no quick way around it. You have to go back to basics: the calories you eat should be less than the calories you expend. Combine this with some exercise every day and you will see results. Take everything in moderation. But if you get caught up in fad diets – more fat, less carbs or less fat, more carbs and such, you *may* get confused and this may or may not get you anywhere. Sometimes it even paralyzes you from the start from all the information overload.
Try incorporating the following tips; They have worked wonderfully for me and many I have trained over the years:
1. STOP seeing the things you want to accomplish as tasks: Often times this can be a block for some, when it becomes something else that needs to be done on the to-do list. In my opinion, we lose the fun behind it and it becomes a drag, often unconsciously forcing us to give up.
2. Break the main goal into smaller achievable goals. For example, you have to lose 50 pounds, tell yourself, I’m going to start by losing 10 in the next 2 months. By all means, keep the big goal in sight and strive for it, but don’t let it pressure you or overwhelm you so that you give up or worse, don’t even start.
3. Make the benefits you want to experience your focus and your goals a means to get there. I call this reframing and somehow tricking your mind around the blocks.
Once again, let’s take the common goal for most: lose weight. What would be the benefits once I achieve this? Relief from the extra weight your body is carrying, get rid of diabetes, blood pressure in some cases, happier, more confident, more dignified perhaps. Different people seek different advantages or benefits from their respective goals. If the benefits to you are important and you keep them as your focus, then losing weight simply becomes a means of getting there.
4. Last but not least, just know that there is no quick and easy way to achieve what you want overnight. Change takes work and takes time. You can’t lose 50 pounds in 30 days, even if you’re starving. So be patient, be realistic with yourself and the process. Set achievable goals.
I wish you every success in everything.
