We always hear about resolutions in December and January–that’s when people tend to start thinking about how they want their lives to change. But what if we started creating the life we want today? Let’s start planning now to change our lives, a little at a time!
Do you find yourself making big plans every January? Setting goals that you never manage to actually meet? You’re not alone.
But there’s a better way. You can turn your aspirations into reality in your life–and you don’t have to wait until January to do it! So let’s talk about what you can do to create your goals and get started today.
What’s the Goal?
You can’t begin the journey until you know where you’re going. So first, figure out what your goal is. I like to approach it this way: How do you want the changes in your life to make you feel? Is your goal to start each day feeling rested? Do you want to feel more energetic? Do you want to feel strong?
Set aside societal expectations as you figure this out. This isn’t about what other people think you should want. It’s about what you actually want for yourself and your life. You’ve heard that one Kate Moss quote–“Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.” But isn’t that just a push toward diet culture, focusing more on weight than actual health? Instead, think about what would actually lead to a healthy body and mind.
Take It One Step at a Time
So many resolutions fail between January and February every year because people tend to dive headfirst into lofty goals all at once. It just isn’t sustainable. Your goals will be much more successful if you approach them in increments. Stephen Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, always said, “begin with the end in mind.” In other words, know where you want to go, but don’t expect to get there immediately–just get started and work your way to that endpoint 1% at a time.
Start with a smaller version of the end goal. In other words, if you want to be running 3 miles by January, start by taking a half-mile walk around your neighborhood today. Then in two weeks, you can increase to a mile (or whatever pace works for you). If you aspire to be visiting the gym 4 days per week in January, start by visiting once per week now and work your way up to 2 and 3 days a week. Instead of diving into the holiday candy season and waking up on Jan 1 feeling like you “need a diet,” enjoy something sweet here and there while making sure to balance it with protein, fiber, healthy fats, and nutritious vegetables in your meals.
Once you find your starting point, map out on a calendar when you will increase to each new increment. This way you know how long it will take to get to each new stage!
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Be Kind to Yourself
You’re never going to be perfect. No-one is. Once you understand that, the sooner you can let go of those self-criticisms in your head. Sometimes you won’t keep up with the current stage of your goal, and that’s okay! During the holiday season, you may eat more sweets than you had planned–that’s normal, and it doesn’t make you a failure! Give yourself permission to miss your goal sometimes. Just adjust and keep on going.
Does this feel like a more sustainable model for future resolutions? Do you feel like you can create the life you want by January? By making 1% changes at a time, you get to stay focused on your health without feeling like you are being deprived or ‘put on a diet.’ Let this be your path to a future full of joy!
Want some extra support as you make these changes? Your journey to a healthier you starts here! Join my flagship program “100 Days of 1%” today! Click here to learn more about how I can help you in your journey.
DAWN MCGEE
Dawn McGee is a certified and licensed Nutrition Evangelist and a long-time foodie, she focuses on both the health and joy of food as fuel for your body. She is a driving force in bringing education on healthy eating to more people through her community, my “Reclaim Your Life, One Bite at a Time” programs, and my book “365 Days of Healthy Living”. Her hope for you is that you live a life you love, without being hungry, feeling deprived, or giving up your glass
