There’s no shortage of information that you can find on Google to accomplish anything. The challenge isn’t finding the “How”, it’s the implementation. Follow these 5 simple strategies to finally follow through!
You are not alone.
Finally follow through with these strategies
1. Break out your goals in smaller increments
Sure, you want to lose 50 pounds, but is it reasonable to expect that to happen in 2 weeks? Your mother told you that you do anything you want to, but even mom would be wrong about this one. It didn’t take 2 weeks to gain the 50 pounds, so it won’t take 2 weeks to lose it. What do you feel is reasonable for a 2 week period? Focus on that number. If you set your sights too high, you’ll become frustrated and lose your motivation to continue.
Based on what you lost the first 2 weeks, what would be a reasonable goal for the next 2 week period? Success will breed motivation. Once you see that you can accomplish your 2 week goal, you can continue on setting these smaller more attainable goals. You keep moving forward vs starting over every 6 months and never getting anywhere.
For example, you might have a goal to lose 50lbs in total, but starting with a goal of losing a few pounds in 2 weeks could be exciting, without the stress of the larger goal.
2. Be enthusiastic about any steps forward
It takes time to gain momentum, and it’s important to have positive feelings about all of your progress. It’s the only thing that will keep that progress coming.
If you are focusing on the 50 pounds you have to lose, it’s not as easy to get excited about losing 3 pounds. However, you actually have a lot to celebrate! 3 pounds is taking a step forward to your larger goal. Your mini goals along the way keep you motivated. Encourage yourself to keep up the momentum with a reward.
Reward yourself for even the smallest improvement. Rewarded behavior is more likely to occur in the future. Reward yourself with a relaxing evening and a good book. Buy yourself a new pair of leggings. Call your friends and have a game night over Zoom. (COVID, ahem)
3. Create small, easy, daily habits that move you forward
It’s not single, monumental actions that change your life. It’s the little things you do each day, day after day after day.
Create new habits that guarantee you’ll reach your goals. Then you only have to worry about your compliance. Bring your water bottle with you to every room and drink it. Stretch when you first wake up. Do 3 Squats every time you get up or down from the couch.
4. Consider what has gotten in your way in the past
There are currently things in the way of your goals. After all, this isn’t the first time you’ve tried. This is real life, right? It might be your work, schedule, spouse, money.
If you don’t feel you have the time. Analyze what you spend time on in 30 minute increments and determine if it is moving you towards your goal or away from your goal. You will be surprised at how much time you actually have when you look at this in minute by minute increments. Cut out the stuff that is detracting you. You have to want your goal more than you want the wasted time. Time is the one thing you can never get back, it is always being taken away from you. Use it wisely for a better, more fulfilled, future. What do you want to spend it doing?
If you don’t feel your spouse, family, or friends are supporting you in the way that you need. Talk to them. Ask them for what you need. They might just not know how to best help you.
5. Change one thing at a time
You can work on several things at once, but introduce only one at a time into your current routines.
Making too many changes at once is overwhelming and a fast track to nowhere.
Give yourself a little room to breathe and get one healthy habit well underway and consistent before starting a new one.
There’s never a better time than now to work on improving yourself or your life! Waiting until January is only putting off your goals once again. Following the strategies above means you can start today – simply and successfully.
Remember, most successful people have coaches to walk them through these steps and hold them accountable. Any successful athlete, business leader, billionaire etc, have coaches and/or mentors to guide them to success. If they need help, and benefit from coaching / mentorship, wouldn’t it stand to reason that you should to?
Coaches will help you break out your goals into smaller chunks, be your cheerleaders, assign you with small daily habits that you will be successful with, create a supportive environment for you and help you find solutions that fit your budget.
If you found this helpful, please share this with your friends. We would love to meet you and get you started on the path to finally following through. What a breath of fresh air that will be, once you achieve your goals!