A 6 Step Plan What to Do Instead
The start of a fresh new year, it’s time for New Year’s Resolutions.
Is your mailbox filled with emails about “New Year, New You” at the moment?
At the start of a new year, a lot of people have the best intentions to make this year their healthiest and happiest.
Your New Year’s Resolutions
Did you whisper some New Year’s resolutions to yourself when the clock hit twelve, or did you even mention them out loud and shared them with your friends and family? What did you say?
- I’m going to get healthier this year!
- This year I will get fit and run a marathon!
- I’m going to find the love of my life!
- This new year I will follow my dream and start my own business!
Why is it so hard to follow through?
Whatever you did, how are your resolutions going for you so far?
Have you been sticking to them? Or are you already struggling? Have you fallen off the wagon already?
And why did you feel you had to wait all year to decide that, you want to stop doing something unhealthy, or sooo going to do something very healthy every day? Are you really committed to it anyway?
Why New Year’s Resolutions Don’t Work
When your New Year’s resolutions don’t work, you usually get upset with yourself. Especially when the next NYE comes and you realise you didn’t turn into this fantastic healthier and happier version of yourself like you committed to at the start of the year. Don’t beat yourself up though, you may have been setting yourself up for failure. New Year’s resolutions rarely work and here’s why:
1. You’re doing it alone
It’s very hard to commit to a New Year’s resolution on your own, accountability is essential for success.
2. You’re not being realistic
Most people set resolutions that are so big, they’ll never be able to meet them. You need to set a goal that’s achievable in the timeframe you have. Your resolutions often require some big behavioural changes and require a big time-investment. We can’t just go from doing nothing to doing everything. Stay realistic and take it day by day.
3. You’re giving up too easily
Sometimes you make a mistake, you skip a day or lose focus. In a situation like that, it’s very easy to feel guilty, beat yourself up and give up altogether instead of recommitting to yourself and continue working on your goal.
4. You’re people-pleasing
You’ve set your resolutions based on other people’s expectations. They’re about what you think you should do, because we worry too much about what other people think. We should be asking ourselves “What makes me happy”?
What to do instead
So what should you do instead of New Year’s resolutions? And how can you actually finish what you’ve started in the New Year? Grab a pen and notebook and get ready to do some writing. Here’s a simple 6 step plan:
1. Put it in perspective
Don’t associate a new year with changes you need to make, and put unnecessary pressure on yourself. Instead, reflect on your year (preferably before NYE, but afterwards is fine too – so no excuses to skip it this year!) and write down your biggest accomplishments. What were you most proud of? Take some time to do this, and go through your diary if necessary. You’ll find things there that you would have forgotten about.
Speak highly of yourself when you do this. We often speak to ourselves in such a negative way and this is not motivating. Speak to yourself with the same kindness and compassion you’re offering to others.
Also, don’t crave to be different than who you are right now. Transformation often begins with accepting yourself first. You’ve already got everything you need within you. Be gentle with yourself.
And remember…. real goals don’t have to start at the beginning of a new year. You can start at any time of the year.
2. Write it down
Write down what didn’t work so well and what you’re ready to let go off.
- What is holding you back?
- What is making you feel stuck?
- Are there are things or behaviours that are preventing you to make progress and move forward?
- Any bad habits?
- Things that don’t make you feel good?
Just write it down and let it go.
3. How do you want to feel at the end of the New Year?
What is going to make you happy? How do you want to feel at the end of the year? Focus on the feeling and work towards that.
What are the benefits for you?
And what are the benefits for your environment?
WHY do you want to feel like this? Be super honest with yourself and don’t write down any resolutions that are based on other people’s expectations or something that you’ve seen or read in a magazine.
4. Break it down in little steps
Brainstorm what you can do to reach this goal and write it all down. Be as specific as possible and plan your actions throughout the year.
Break your end goal down in smaller weekly goals so you’re working towards something immediate, this will create little wins and will keep you motivated.
Commit to taking consistent action to reach your goal. Do something daily. It’s not what you do every now and then, but what you do every day that counts.
5. Find some buddies
Find some buddies who are already further advanced on this path or some that are likeminded and willing to go on this journey with you.
Try to avoid hanging out with people that will make you fall back into your bad habits. Yes, this may involve finding yourself some new friends.
You’re the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with – choose your peeps wisely.
Hang out with people who inspire you to be more, do more and have more. They should be a positive force in your life, not a negative one. Stay away from people who are draining you emotionally and physically, aka “energy vampires”.
6. Don’t be too hard on yourself
It’s okay to make a mistake. Just dust yourself off and keep going. Recommit to your goal.
When you pick a goal that really means something to you, you’ll try to make it happen. It needs to be important to you, that’s how you keep the motivation and commitment going.
If you’re really committed to becoming a happier and healthier version of yourself this year, be realistic and get a health coach! There is so much contradicting information out there about nutrition, health, and wellbeing. It’s easy to get lost and overwhelmed.
No single diet, lifestyle, or exercise routine works for everyone. It’s hard to find what actually works for you without losing motivation. Before you know it, the clock hits twelve again on NYE and you haven’t reached any of your health goals. Enter: frustration.
Make this your best year yet. Book an initial free 30-minute consultation here to find out how I can help you navigate the world of nutrition and health advice. Together we’ll find the foods and lifestyle that work for you.
