Don’t Be a Statistic: Grab the Journey by the Pencil
Here we are, another new year. What does that mean? It means a clean slate. An opportunity to write on it what we want to be, what we want others to remember us by, what we want out of life. What an awesome thing! What will your slate say? What will it say about you?
New years resolutions fail, eighty-eight percent of them to be exact! Why is that. We have this great opportunity to succeed and yet we don’t. In my experience, the number one reason for failure is lack of planning. We set out on a journey with an idea of where we want to go but no destination. We get in our “vehicle” but fail to put gas in it. We begin our journey already failed.
How can we do better? How can we succeed? We must make a plan. Your very first resolution should be to look at what you want to accomplish, picking no more than one or two tiny things (i.e. clean out the closet, put a fresh coat of paint in the living room) and no more than one whopper (i.e. weight loss, become more philanthropic, etc.). Then sit down with a sheet of paper, a pencil and begin mapping out the journey:
- Set a destination and be specific. For example: I will lose 20 pounds or I will join and become an active member of a service group.
- Write, in detail, how you will reach your destination. This is not one to give a good example of as it is very involved. However, in the case of weight loss you should be very specific as to how much exercise, when and where, what you will eat, how much and when, and what other changes need to happen in your life to make them successful.
- Pick small destinations along the way to make scenic stops to enjoy how far you have come. In the case of becoming more philanthropic, go to see the people you are helping or invite someone who has benefited from the help of your service group out for lunch to enjoy a meal with them.
- Get help from a professional if you need it. If you are trying to lose weight, get a trainer and/or a nutritional consultant to help you determine your plan and execute it.
- Begin your journey, looking at your detailed map every so often to help you get where you are going. Be sure and check in with the plan, making modifications as necessary. Try journaling your “exploits”. As you do various things, write them down. It can be fun to look back and take encouragement when you feel like things are stagnate. If you set a goal of joining one service group and doing one of their services per month and you decide you can commit a little more, do so. Put it in writing on your plan and begin.
By mapping out the journey, you will have a far greater chance of succeeding. Try not to throw caution to the wind and leap or you will be among the 88%. Take a deep breath, pencil in hand, and begin your journey today! Happy travels!
Tagged exercise, fitness, food, goals, lose weight, Monthly Newsletter, new years resolution, nutrition, personal trainer, reduce the risk of disease, setting goals, weight loss, weightloss, wellness
