By Paul Bolger. Nano Physiotherapy
If you are like most people, your new year’s resolution (or new habit) is a distant memory. Research shows that most people drop new habits within just a few weeks. Life gets in the way; motivation wanes and best intentions fizzle out.
But there is hope. The fact that you tried to make a change is a huge step in the process. If you have an openness and desire to change you are already walking down the path to a healthier life.
There are things we can do – strategies and tools that will boost our likelihood of sticking with new habits. Let’s explore 3 powerful options.
- Know Your Motivation
What is the driving force behind your desire to change?
Approach this from your own personal perspective. Think about yourself 6-months from now – you have taken on this new habit and brought it into your life. What does your day look like? How might you feel? What is different?
Give yourself a pen and paper and 10 minutes to explore your personal motivations – scribble down anything that comes to mind. Take the key points from this and put them somewhere you will see (stick to your wall/ fridge/ diary/ etc). Revisit this from time to time.
- Set Flexible Goals
Some people hate the idea of setting goals, others love it. Goals can be very useful if approached in the right way. Our goals should not be rigid – there needs to be leeway.
You may have heard of SMART goals – they are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timed. Two examples of goals might be:
- I want to get fit
- I want to walk for at least 20 mins on at least 5 days per week for the next 4 weeks
It’s clear which goal is SMART here – which one is easier to measure and to hold ourselves accountable to.
Take a pen and paper and give yourself 5 minutes to come up with a SMART goal. Think of this goal as a realistic ideal that you can work towards. If you get there – great! If you don’t – you likely made progress and learned valuable lessons.
You can change these targets as you move along your journey.
- Action Plan
A goal is useless without a plan to make it happen.
Again, take a pen and paper and write down the steps you will need to take.
- Think of what you might do before this new habit can begin – e.g. buy runners/ membership; join a group; arrange diary; etc.
- Think of how you might overcome potential barriers – e.g. join a friend; share child-minding; transport; etc.
- Plan for when things go wrong – e.g. motivation wanes; work/ family issues; etc.
Know that things will inevitably go wrong. The key is in getting back on the horse. We will explore other strategies to make habits stick next time around.
Until then, well done on the steps you have already taken and good luck in taking the next.
