For today’s Wellness Wednesday, I thought it would be beneficial to share a number of easy-to-use tips that will help you visualize realistic goals and then succeed at those goals. As I mentioned in last week’s post, I’m always striving to keep my life in a constant state of evolution which includes making small and real changes each month to improve myself as a person, rather than huge, sprawling goals for the entire year. With these monthly challenges, I keep in mind that sometimes my efforts will yield positive results and sometimes I may just need to go back to the drawing board.
Throughout each month’s objective, I also remember to appreciate the things about myself that are good, the gifts I bring to the table. This isn’t always easy for a lot of us, and in trying to change all of the things we don’t like, we forget to take the time to remind ourselves of the things that make us unique and special, our own personal treasures.
Finally, no matter what, I keep going! Knowing it’s okay if I have a couple of weeks where those amazing habits I began implementing fall to the wayside. Who says we can’t start over? We absolutely can! As long as we recognize that that’s what has happened and begin again.
So with all of this in mind, I started to think about the practices I use to implement evolution into my everyday life. Below I’ve put together a list of four tips I’ve found to be extremely helpful in encouraging self-growth. I hope they’ll help you on your journey as well!
Accountability Partner(s)
Having AP’s (accountability partners) in my life who hold me responsible for the changes I want to make. Who’s the friend or family member in your life who likes to cook? Who’s the one who likes to do yoga or meditate? Who’s the one who just seems to have it together? Enlist their help! We are nothing without our support groups. You only need to reach out to one at a time because chances are you’re probably only focusing on one thing at that moment that you want to improve or change. I guarantee that friend or family member has time to send you a weekly text to check on your progress or urge you to try something again in a different way.
Dedicating half an hour every week to a conversation where you check in or bounce ideas off each other could make all the difference in the world. And if you can’t think of anyone, reach out to me. I’m happy to help! Oh and we also live in a time where there is an app for everything! There are several accountability themed apps I will be exploring in my future posts so stay tuned!
This Is a Journey
Constantly remind yourself that this is a journey, not a one-time event. It’s okay if we have an off day or two (maybe even three). Instead of throwing in the towel, recommit to trying again, continuing to work hard, and staying focused. We are working toward a larger goal, one that is achieved one step at a time.
One Thing at a Time
As difficult as it is, it’s extremely important to focus on one new thing at a time. Sometimes we’ll look at all of the ways we want to evolve, draft out a large list, and then try to tackle multiple items at once. If you’re anything like me, patience is not your strong suit and you want to fix or achieve your entire list all at the same time! But in my experience we’re more likely to achieve success if we begin with one at a time, get that positive habit or new skill solidly in place, and then move on to the next.
Use the 20-Second Rule
Increase your levels of success by making it easier to achieve your goals. In one of my earlier posts, I referenced The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor. I’m a big fan! In The Happiness Advantage, one of his principles is called “The 20-Second Rule.” For his full and highly educated explanation on this principle, please look at the chapter in the book.
But for a quick breakdown, Achor talks about how willpower alone isn’t the answer to achieving your goals. In order to create and sustain a new positive habit, it’s beneficial to lower the activation energy required to achieve it. He even goes on to say you should raise the activation energy for habits you want to avoid. In some cases it may only take 20 seconds or less to make a difference. Some of his examples include sleeping in your (clean) gym clothes to motivate you to go to the gym in the morning, or taking the batteries out of the remote and putting them in a drawer far away from the couch to prevent yourself from watching mindless television every night.
For him the time it took to go and get the batteries from that drawer deterred him from watching television and allowed him to focus on activities that were more meaningful to him. For me I’ve employed this principle by keeping my gratitude journal on my night table (vs inside it) where it is not only clearly visible but is also next to my phone charger/alarm clock. That way when I go to charge my phone before bed, I’m reminded of whether I have completed that habit for the day.
And that’s it! Four simple tips that can help transform your life!
Which one of these tips resonates most with you and how would you adapt it to fit your own goals this month?
The hand-lettered “evolution” graphic was designed by Kelsey Lemons, owner of She in the Making. We’re big fans of keeping our intentions close and present. When you sign up for our mailing list below, you’ll receive FREE downloadable background images of these designs for your computer or phone backgrounds. This way your monthly goals and intentions will be at the forefront of your mind on a daily basis.
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