So, here we are, just over four weeks into the new year. How many of your new year resolutions are you still actively pursuing and how many have drifted off into the ether?
Over the last 10 months, Covid-19 has caused a mountain of issues for everyone. I understand you might be struggling a bit with moving forward. So, if after four weeks your goals are slipping, here’s some tips to help you get back on track……
Get yourself an ‘Accountability Partner’
Get someone else involved in your quest. Tell them what you’re out to achieve and ask them to keep you accountable.
It may be something as simple, as reminding you everyday why your doing this. It may be that you’ll report in to them every time you feel like you might drift off-track, etc.
Now, I’m not saying that there won’t be times when you may have a legitimate reason for needing to stop this resolution. Let’s say for example that your resolution was to run every day. Then you find out that because you’re not used to running, it makes doing it everyday impractical, or painful.
Or, it may just be that you didn’t realize quite how unfit you were. Now you’re sitting at home on the couch, suffering from ‘shin-splints‘. Maybe running everyday isn’t really for you and you should pick some other way to improve your fitness.
However, more often than not, our reasons are merely excuses and you need someone who can call you out on them. Generally speaking, partner’s and good friends, etc. aren’t great candidates for an accountability partner, though.
Partners and close friends usually want you to be happy and so tend to encourage you to do what makes you happy. When what you really need, is someone to push you to achieve your goal, even though it’s making you uncomfortable in the moment.
Think again, about why you want to achieve this goal.
When you set the goal/resolution initially, you should have given yourself a good reason for doing it.
So, if you’re feeling like calling it a day, go back and look again at your reasons. Then move forward with it again with renewed vigor and enthusiasm.
Change you thought structure.
Instead of thinking “Why am I doing this to myself”, think “It’s great that I get to do this”
Whatever it is that you’re trying to achieve, there are thousands of people who’d love to be in a position to do what you’re doing.
Whether your resolution was to start a business, to run everyday, to go to the gym, to lose weight, etc. Whatever it is, there are people who’ll never be in a position to even try these things.
Remember how lucky you are to be in the position you’re in. When you realize that a good part of the world doesn’t have the opportunities open to them that you do, it re-frames your outlook on your plans.
Take advantage of your opportunities, rather than complaining about how difficult they may seem at the time.
Just do something small
When you’re struggling a bit, or if you feel like missing a day (or so!), just do something small.
The biggest problems come from losing momentum. If you just do something every day you’ll keep the momentum going.
You can always start again
It takes time for a new behavior to become a habit. And there’ll be plenty of times when you just want to give up.
If you find yourself suddenly realizing that you haven’t been keeping up with your resolution. Learn what you can from the setback, then start afresh.
And remember; You haven’t failed if you fall down, you’ve only failed if you don’t get up and try again.
Are you having an issue? Let me know in the comments and I’ll try to help 🙂
