Starting a new year is often comes with resolutions. Many of us decide to change our attitude, transform habits, lose weight, read a book every month, and I could list more. However, after the first few weeks, the momentum runs out, and often nothing is left of these desires.
Why is this happening?
1. Because we don’t say precisely what we want.
For example, I want to be happier. I want to earn more money/be rich. I want to lose weight. Say exactly what do you want to achieve? Give as many details as you can!
What is happiness means to me? On a scale from 1-10 where one ‘unhappiness’ and the tenth is ‘happiest’ state, I can imagine where am I now? What can I do to move up one level on this scale in the next month? What can I do to move up two levels? How much money do I earn now? How much could I make? How likely is it to happen? And so on.
2. Because we don’t make the desirable state measurable.
For example, I want to lose weight!
What is my current weight? How much do I want to drop off? Realistically, what is the ideal weekly / monthly weight loss according to my health? What dietary changes can I incorporate into my life? What kind of movement can I incorporate into my life?
3. Because the goal is unachievable or unattractive to us.
Staying with the example of the previous weight loss, if we don’t decide for ourselves that we want to lose a few pounds, but because we want to meet someone’s expectations. These unspoken thoughts, often hidden from us, form mental blocks. It is important to choose a goal that is truly appealing to us and not coming from an external source.
4. Because our goal is unrealistic.
Also, staying at weight loss, it’s not realistic to expect from ourselves to drop 20 kilos in 3 months to have the perfect beach body for the summer. On the one hand, it is unhealthy and, in many cases, does not even prove to be permanent.
5. Because the subject of our resolution is not timebound, as Exuperie said, a goal without a plan is just a wish. Placing our ideas in time helps us think through and break down a larger idea into subtasks.
For example, I want to learn Japanese. Once I have chosen where I will study, I can assign dates to my progress. It will motivate me to stick to my schedule. If I might move forward faster, it’s worth rewarding myself.
If something doesn’t work out the way I originally planned because the activity takes more time, or I don’t feel so motivated about my goal, it’s worth redesigning and not throwing away the whole plan.
And in the end, just a little advice I learned from my PT, Ket: less change is more. You don’t want to change a bunch of things in your life at the same time. Change ONE and focus on it. And don’t rush yourself; give time for the change. Don’t think about giving up in the first round. You can do this! And if you need help, don’t hesitate to reach out, send me a message, and I am more than happy to help.
Eva Moricz Coaching 