At a time of year when many look forward to the new year with eager anticipation for all that it brings, it’s appropriate to consider your health goals. Most of us have them: a desire to eat better, lose weight, get in shape, exercise, improve our emotional or mental health, and more.
People come to us with health concerns, and I have conversations every day with people wanting to make improvements. I appreciate when people come to me and express their desire to make healthy changes in their lives, and my goal is to give them insights that will help them be successful. Whether you have a little way to your goal or a long way…these steps will help you get there. Regardless of your current situation, you can succeed.
The first step to accomplishing any goal is to have a plan. A plan invites you to think through and write down your steps to success. Break them down into smaller daily, weekly, or monthly behaviors. Make it as detailed as possible, and part of the plan should address any of your known personal barriers. It could be a bent toward procrastination, a weakness for sweets, or an over full schedule. Consider what barriers could keep you from success and strategize how to overcome them. Preparing ahead of time for when obstacles arise will help you meet those challenges successfully. Write down the specific action items you will do each day and record those on your calendar or post them on the wall.
Having someone to hold you accountable, check in on your progress, and inspire you when you are struggling is crucial. It is rare to find people who have succeeded in hitting their goals who did it alone. Once you have defined your plan, share it with this person. Invite them to think it through with you, anticipate potential roadblocks and come up with a plan for continually moving forward. People naturally rise to the level of their peers, so pick your partner well. Select someone who is committed and reliable. You will likely match that person's performance, so pick someone who challenges you to rise to meet your goals. Having someone on your side to journey with you is important to your ultimate success.
Think about why you want to embark on a journey toward better health. Discover that reason beyond yourself. When your goal is tied to some bigger purpose, something outside of yourself, you stand a greater chance of pushing through the tough times and being successful. Without a specific clear and detailed purpose, if you encounter a roadblock, it's easy to quit. Ask yourself why you really want to accomplish this goal. When you understand your 'why' each day, you'll be inspired to keep going. Find the reason that, when you feel like quitting, will keep you motivated and on track.
Every big endeavor starts with small steps. Small steps add up to big steps. I remember talking with a patient who shared her journey of weight loss. I asked her how she did it, and she told me that at first, she could only do 8 minutes of exercise. So she committed herself each week to adding one more minute and after some time, was up to 45 minutes. Her success was the result of very small steps taken consistently that most people would deem inconsequential. Each week, she diligently added one more minute to her workout time. Over time, those minutes added up to ultimate success.
It's common to feel overwhelmed by your ultimate target and not believe you can succeed. The trick is to set smaller steps that are achievable, but that will get you to your goal over time. That's the difference between those who succeed and those who give up. Build your plan, find a partner to journey with, know your “why” and start with small steps. These 4 simple elements will be there to help when discouragement sets in and you feel like quitting. We all experience those times. You’re not alone and you are stronger than you think you are.
Here’s to making the New Year your best one yet!