Not just another list of New Year’s resolutions
At this time of year, many of us start thinking about our goals for the upcoming year. We often make resolutions like losing weight, exercising regularly, or quitting smoking. However, we often find ourselves making the same or similar resolutions each year. The question is, why does this happen? The most likely answer is that we are not taking all the necessary steps to achieve our goals. So, here are some suggestions to help you achieve your goals and ensure that you see the desired outcomes.
Step 1: Becoming Aware of the Current State of Being
Please take a moment to become aware of your current state.
Begin by checking in with your body. How does it feel? Do you feel healthy and energized, or do you feel tired and heavy?
Next, focus on your state of mind. Do you feel mentally clear and focused, or are you feeling restless and anxious?
Also, take the time to observe your emotional and spiritual levels. It’s important to remain objective without being critical or judgmental. Remember that this practice can help you make the necessary changes to improve your overall well-being.
Step 2: Creating a Goal
After becoming aware of your current situation, it’s time to establish your goals. It’s best to select one significant goal instead of trying to create ten of them in a hurry. Keep it practical and choose something that is important and that you can implement in your life. The goals should be clear and precise, for eg. Instead of saying: I am going to manage stress better, say: I am going to meditate for 10 min every day.
Step 3: Setting an Intention
Reflect on your thinking patterns and how they support your goals.
Step 4: Make a Plan
It’s important to create a plan that outlines what you want to achieve, how long it will take, and how long you want to maintain it. According to lifestyle medicine, using a SMART goal strategy can help you achieve clarity in your plan. Scientists have proven that there is more chance of achieving a goal if a detailed plan about each step towards it is made. (https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2F0003-066X.54.7.493)
Changing habits requires changes in the brain, meaning that your brain needs time and planning to adopt a new habit. Every time you do something new, your brain reorganizes and strengthens the connections between neurons in a process known as neuroplasticity. When repeating a new action to form a habit, smaller triggers are needed to activate the same network of brain cells.
Step 5: Implementation
It’s time to put our plans into action if we want to develop a new habit. We might have several ideas in our minds about lifestyle changes we want to make, but if we don’t act on them, they’re useless. We shouldn’t wait for a certain day like Monday or the first of January to make changes – although we might feel more motivated to do so around those times. We can make changes on any day of the week, as long as we’re willing to stick to our plan. And, we should be prepared to step out of our comfort zone. This also means not waiting to feel like acting but acting anyway, regardless of whether we feel like it or not. Consistency is the key. This is not easy, however, the more we do it, the more sense of control of ourselves we get. It takes time, no change can happen overnight.
Step 6: “Reaping the benefits of our actions.”
“This is the moment where we get to enjoy the fruits of our labor, which then inspires and empowers us to move towards our next goal. Take some time to celebrate your achievements and reward yourself for your efforts. Whether it’s making or doing something special for yourself, you deserve it.”
