A resolution, resolving to complete a course of action
determined or decided on, by definition is not a New Years act alone – yet this
one time of year seems to stir our resolve more than others. The chance at a
new beginning and the thought that a new year brings with it renewed hope steels
us for a battle that we dare not attempt at other times of the year. But are
our resolutions really that difficult to achieve? Not with a little planning
and understanding.
As a personal trainer with over 15 years’ experience I have
mentored hundreds of people through resolutions the year through and I have
found three key components to meeting resolutions with success, whether they
occur at New Year or any other time throughout the year. Whether you have set
yourself to lose weight, give up smoking, save money or spend more time with
family and friends your focus should be to:
1.
Set a realistic goal
2.
Give your goal a tangible value
3.
Have an understanding of failure
Set Yourself A
Realistic Goal
You truly have to believe that your goal is achievable, and
the good news is, mostly any goal is. The human body and brain are amazing
things with almost anything they dedicate themselves to achievable. For YOUR
goal to be achievable for YOU however, you will need to be honest with yourself
about what sacrifices you are willing to make in order to achieve your goal.
You ARE capable of losing 30 pounds in the next 6 months (and you should always
set yourself a time frame), but if you are not willing to make the sacrifice
required to achieve this goal then your goal is no longer realistic.
Also, the more ‘out of the ballpark’ you set your goal, you
will need to set yourself targets along the way – if you are going to clear the
fences you must first hit the ball and clear the infield.
Give Your Goal A
Tangible Value
In order for you to keep the motivation to see your
resolution through you have to provide it with a tangible value. I have found
that merely wanting to lose weight often ends in failure, however weight loss
in order to live longer and see children grow up, fit into that wedding dress,
or overcome diabetes gives a tangible reason to WHY you want to lose weight.
The same tangibles can (and should) be found for every resolution you make –
smoking fits nicely with longevity (but also money saving), while financial
success and saving money can have a tangible value of a house purchase, new car,
holiday or even a new dress. Keep your eyes on these tangibles and you will
provide yourself more commitment for the cause.
Have An Understanding
Of Failure
Sometimes mistakes happen. Genuine mistakes (not the kind
where you say to yourself ‘it’s ok if I have that piece of cheesecake, I’ll
make up for it tomorrow’, but those for which you have either inadvertently
dropped your guard or you simply cannot avoid) can occur and you need to be
prepared. This point is about understanding the mistake, not accepting it.
There are two key elements to surviving these mistakes:
1.
Understand that mistakes can and do happen
2.
Do not drop your bundle
Your success now relies on what you do next. The most common
(and incorrect) feeling when a chink arises is one of guilt and failure which
is quickly followed by the thought that either you cannot achieve your goal so
why try, or that you have already made the blunder today so you may as well
splurge and get back on the horse tomorrow.
Both of these will set your resolution back remarkably. Your
only course of action here is to understand that you have hit the glitch,
recalibrate and focus on each aspect of your goal (your main goal, your
stepping stone and your tangible) and get straight back to task – no
exceptions.
Conclusion
I usually subscribe to the theory that if you want or need
something bad enough then waiting for a trigger point (your birthday, next
Monday, tomorrow or New Year) is not good enough. If you have a resolution to
make, make it today, but given we are so close to New Year you really have no
excuses. Today is the perfect time. You have something in mind you need to
achieve in the next year, 6 months, 3 months or week, so set your goals and get
to it. You have the tools at your disposal, and help for a worthy resolution is
always close by. Don’t be afraid to use it.
Turning Your Phase Into A Way Of Life,
Gary Fahey
Head Trainer
and Founder
Fitness
Fahey’s
www.myfitnessphase.com
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