New behaviors are tough to get going. Often, we tell ourselves that the time is not right. We hold off on starting new projects, learning new skills, improving our diet, or beginning a new exercise program. Why are we always waiting for the perfect time? Doing so prevents us from growing, thriving and reaching greater heights. Waiting for the perfect time is an "all-or-nothing" approach and when we do this, we tend to get more of nothing.
I hate to be the one to tell you but there is no perfect time to make a positive change in your life. And sorry to burst your bubble but no one is going to give it to you either. So revise your expectations. There is no perfect time. You are going to have to make it happen on your own. Those that reach their goals go out and do something, anything really. It is not because they wait for that perfect time, it is because they create it. They understand that it is going to be a process. They understand that they aren't going to be a master by day three but if they stick to the plan, they can be a master by day three thousand. They avoid things that sap energy or divert focus. Constant, daily improvement is the focus and in order to do that, you have to do one thing: START.
The moment of starting will be the hardest. You have to get through this resistance. Resistance doesn't mean that it is not going to work. All that it means is that you have started, and it is time to show some grit and get through this perseverance. One positive moment will lead to another moment, and that moment leads to another, and before you know it, you are well on your way to reaching your goals. So give it time, push through, and get it done.
The goals we set are going to help us stay focused. There are two types of goals: intrinsic and extrinsic. An extrinsic goal would be to lose 15 pounds for your best friends wedding. An intrinsic goal would be to begin a workout routine to improve health. Ample research in behavioral science shows that those who set extrinsic goals may reach their goal, but will often revert back to their previous norm when the target event is over. And those who pursue intrinsic goals- like getting fit to feel good or for their family- tend to make slower initial progress but achieve significantly better results in the long run. As Olympian Sebastian Coe once said, "Throughout my athletic career, the overall goal was to be a better athlete than I was at that moment- whether next week, next month, or next year. The improvement was the goal. The medal was simply the ultimate reward for achieving that goal". So before you go to sleep each night, ask yourself this simple question: Was I a little better today than yesterday?
Need some help getting started?
Getting support often times make the difference between success and failure. My CFT Plan is designed to snap us out of that "all-or-nothing" mentality and give you that nudge in the right direction. The time to create a new you is NOW!
Chris Fluck
No comments:
Post a Comment