We all strive to achieve our own set goals. We come up with our new intention, we set ourselves the task and then after a week or so life gets in the way and this new 'goal or habit' gets left to the way side.
Here are 3 easy ways to understand why habits don't stick and what we can do to make sure they do!
1. Make your habit so easy you can't say NO!
The key to keeping your habit or new routine going is to stay consistent. It doesn't matter if you fall off or are too tired to only do half the effort. Give it a go, do ¼ or ½ of the habit. JUST KEEP DOING IT. Repetition is the key to re wiring your brain to learn something new, studies also show that if you do this same thing for 28 days in a row than it makes it a habit not a chore.
So, to be successful make it so easy you can't say no
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You want a daily 1hr gym routine when you are a permanent couch potato?
Your goal is to start with just 1min of stretching before you get dressed every morning
(this will be so easy you will naturally just begin to do more).
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You want to start meditating before bed to get better sleep?
Down load a free app & set up your space with some nice oils in the diffuser.
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You want to create a healthy eating habit?
Your goal is to eat 1 healthy meal a week.
It doesn't matter if you start small, being amazing is irrelevant. If you do the thing perfectly only once or twice then give up, it wont matter in the long run because you wont be able to maintain that intensity.
Remember make your new habit so EASY that you can't say NO!
2. Take the time to find out what is getting in your way.
I spoke with a friend recently name Sarah, who wanted to change her unhealthy eating habits. She was the type of person that "jumped onto every new crash diet, spent hundreds on new powders and potions but could never stick to it and never saw any result".
After taking the time to feel into it, Sarah let her inner truth speak out. What was really holding her back in succeeding was FOMO (Fear of missing out). Once we sat down and found 5 healthy alternatives to the 5 things she struggled with the most. Her spirits were lifted, she had tangible solutions and was determined to give it another go.
Sarah now has maintained these 5 simple swaps for 4 months now and she told me "I may not be Kate Moss thin but I am proud when I look in the mirror and every week the scales read less and less. This has never worked for me this way before. It wasn't the food it was me".
You might think you are the 'type of person who can't say no' or the 'type of person who gives up easily'. But in most cases, you are not destined to always be this way and you were definitely not born this way. Throw the blanket statement in the bin, break down your barriers into smaller and smaller pieces, be true to yourself and pin point what is preventing you from succeeding.
Once you know you there is no holding you back!
3. Develop a plan for when you fail.
Most life coaches will ask you "What were you expecting? To succeed without failing the 1st time? To be perfect? Even when Olympic athletes who have been training and are on top of their field make mistakes or have bad days on a regular basis".
Be kind to yourself, don't judge or feel guilty if you need a rest day or life gets on top of you. Instead focus on developing a plan for these exact moments and to help get you back on track ASAP
3 strategies that might help...
- Set a schedule not and deadline
- Forget about exact outcomes focus on the NEW YOU that is emerging
- Make up a power phrase like 'Never miss twice'
The 'never miss twice' is a kinder more positive mindset tool as it lets you be human. 'Maybe I will miss a workout today, but I am not going to miss 2 in a row!' or 'Maybe I will eat pizza tonight with my friends but tomorrow it is Salad all the way'.
Slipping up isn't failing, its human. What separates the best from the rest is that they pick themselves back up and get back on track. No guilt, no shame just determination.
Make your back up plan and go easy on yourself.
If you would like more ideas on diving deep to get to the bottom of what is holding you back join our motivated FB tribe Harmony, Health & Happiness » HERE!
Magnify Your Purpose
Xox Andrea
