Hello Vaquero! How are you feeling about your New Year’s resolutions?
2023 is finally here! And I want to start by sharing with you 5 tips to help you maintain your good resolutions over time and achieve them. These keys will help you unlock your resistance and implement the change you are looking for, maybe for several years in a row.
1. Focus on one resolution at a time
Consider focusing on only one resolution at a time. By attempting to adopt one change at a time, you enhance your chances of success. By choosing only one, you limit the tension that newness can cause, as well as the distraction.
We can use the chair theory to demonstrate this point. It is stable on four legs. It is less stable when one leg is removed, but it still holds. It will not hold if two of the legs are removed. When you try to execute one resolve at a time, it’s like removing one leg from a chair: it still stands. It is impossible to execute two resolutions at the same time.
So the plan is to make one modification at a time. When one aspect of your life is in order, you may move on to another. By adjusting everything at once, you prevent becoming unstable.
2. Make it a high priority.
Prioritize your resolution. The goal of prioritizing is to be able to concentrate your efforts on a single task. This will focus your activities and make them simpler to carry out.
Giving time and attention to the change you want to see in your life is what prioritizing entails.
Assume you wish to change employment and are aware that you will need to take certain actions. Because you may already have a career or even a family life, you will need to adjust your schedule to create time for this job hunt.
Because your week and available time are both limited, you may need to organize these tasks and find space in your life. Make a list of the things you would need to adjust in the different aspects of your life to take advantage of your sources of energy, your schedule, your personal organization style, and so on.
3. Dominate your own resistance.
Psychological resistance emerges differently in each individual. How do you respond to a changing situation? I want you to consider how you avoid taking measures that you want to do but are unable to do.
Do you have a habit of forgetting things?
Do you have indifference or a lack of energy?
Do you realize what you’re attempting to avoid?
This is the first step in overcoming opposition.
For example, you made a wise decision to run for 15 minutes every day. The day passes and you get tired and apathetic. Your phone suddenly rings, you take it up, and your energy returns.
Consider it maybe a younger version of yourself that you will learn to know and manage. You give it room by recognizing it. You can start a conversation with it to learn about its motives and anxieties. And as this conversation between you progresses, the resistance will diminish since this part will have been heard. When you understand what is rejecting you, you will be able to approach and defeat it with calm.
4. Keep the resolution simple, nice, and unintimidating.
Change comes under the “threatening” and “unsafe” categories. When you understand how the nervous system works, you will be able to make better decisions. One of your nervous system’s functions is to alert you when a “danger” exists. You will experience resistance or tension when you detect a threat.
To put your resolution into action, search for methods to put it in the “safe” category. The goal is not to hasten the transition. This will keep your nervous system from going into overdrive and becoming resistive. Remember that your brain prefers routines.
5. Create a structure around it.
Obstacles will arise at some point, definitely. It’s worthwhile to lay the groundwork for your excellent resolution to stick. That is, you will ensure that your foundation is solid and that you have a solid support structure in place. This might be a family member, a friend, or a professional who will accompany you.
If possible, attempt to arrange your physical surroundings such that it constantly reminds you of the change you wish to accomplish. For example, if your new year’s objective is to get in shape, plan your outfit the night before. Are you getting set to leave the house and have your stuff ready outside your door? Failure to take
And remember that your strongest motivation is meant to be your own health, goals, and true dreams. To change for someone or something else will be harder and quite possibly less satisfying than to seek things that truly fulfill your own growth compass, and to take one step at a time towards it and keep your expectations in check, you might as well enjoy the process more than the results themselves.
Thanks for reading, Vaquero, see you next time!
