Did you make a New Year's Resolution last month? How are you doing with it? If you are still working on it then you are doing better than 80% of America. According to U.S. News, approximately 80% of resolutions fail by the second week of February.
Why is it so hard to keep our motivation? How is it by February, less than 30 days from making a goal, we give up on ourselves.
The answer is simple. Achieving goals is completely doable. But there are some tricks and tools involved. The only difference between a goal achiever and nonachiever is that they have a better skill set on how to manage their brains.
When you introduce a new goal, your brain will resist. Your brain likes to rinse and repeat. It doesn't like to use the new energy it takes to complete a new goal.ocess.
When you introduce a new goal, your brain will resist. Your brain like to rinse and repeat. It doesn't like to use the new energy it takes to complete a new goal.
So to conserve energy your brain will send your new goals packing as soon as it can. It will continue to send you thoughts (red lights) why this new goal will not work. Your lower brain can be very convincing. The trick is to learn how to manage your lower brain.
Let me tell you how I learned to manage these 'red lights' and how I finally made exercise a permeant habit.
This is a skill that everybody can obtain with these 3 strategies:
#1 Live intentionally for 60 days
The first step is to write down the goal and put it somewhere you can see it daily. This starts a new neuron pathway in your brain.
Calendar the time for exercise every week. Treat your calendar like your boss. Honor your commitment to yourself, make it non-negotiable.
#2 Make a list of your obstacles and strategies.
The second step is to write down all the obstacles that you will have.
For example, mine was six kids, I hated running, the gym classes being full, etc. Spend some time on these, because your brain will come up with a lot of reasons why you can't do it.
From your obstacle list, make your strategies.
Your brain will try to tell you all the reasons why something won't work but give your brain a chance, it can be equally creative with how to get it done. Give it a chance and every time your brain says "I don't know", take a guess.
Remember your brain has all the answers, just give it a chance.
For example, because of the six kids, I needed to pick a gym with good daycare. I hated running, so I took classes and learned what exercise I liked. If the classes were full and I had to run, then I saved the book on tape for the treadmill, this way my brain had something to look forward to.
#3 The Daily Compound Effect
The third step is to continue to manage your brain. Just because you have figured out all your strategies doesn't mean your brain will stop sending you red lights. The daily work is key here.
In the first 60 days of my goal, my brain sent me a lot of red lights. Then one day I realized, I didn't have to force myself. It was starting to become a habit, and a habit I really enjoyed. I stopped even noticing the red lights.
The weekly compound effect of committing to this goal changed my thoughts about exercise.
Ten years later and I still exercise at least four times a week. Exercise has become an integral part of my life and how I feel. My brain has learned that it is a non-negotiable commitment to myself.
If you have a goal you want to accomplish, schedule an introductory coaching session with me. In one session I can give you the tools and framework to accomplish your goal.
Don't become another February statistic, learn how to be in control of your life vs. being at "the effect' of your life, you will be blown away with your own amazement!
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