February is here, and the resolutions are slowly disappearing. The statistics on how many people actually follow through and accomplish their New Year’s resolutions are rather grim. Studies have shown that less than 25% of people actually stay committed to their resolutions after just 30 days, and only 8% actually accomplish it.
Now, if we could be honest with ourselves for a second, I don't think it's because we are too busy. Maybe we decided on these goals without proper mental preparation.
I believe a mindset shift can unlock so much of our potential.
Here are 3 ways to help you stay committed:
1.) Mood Follows Action:
Believe it or not, you'll get to about week 4 of January and that initial spark to go to the gym may lose a bit of it's luster. Rather than "feel like" doing something, the surest way to shift out of your discomfort or resistance is to lean into action.
Whether it's to clean the garage, prepare dinner, or workout, the easiest way to find "motivation" is to get moving! Put a 5 min countdown on the clock and see how much you can get done. 9 out of 10 times, you'll want to keep going in order to complete the task.
Take that first step. So many of us wait for "inspiration" to arrive and take us to where we want to go. Talk to any pro athlete and they will tell you that it's not everyday that they feel inspired to workout.
They just show up and get moving. From there you build a little momentum, which translates to consistency. Results are a byproduct of that.
2.) Shift your Focus.
Whatever you focus on expands!
The more you focus on the desires that you want, whether it’s alcohol, excessive food, the news or video games, the more you’re going to want those things.
Instead, if you can shift your focus to becoming the best version of yourself, then things really start to change.
Read a book, meditate, go for a walk, workout, sit in silence, journal, give thanks, talk to someone you enjoy talking with.
These are enhancing activities that can help you focus on the things that really matter in your life. Include some of them in your daily life.
3.) Train our Willpower Muscle:
Similar to how exercise strengthens the muscles, working on strengthening the “will” translates to stronger willpower. The body can only adapt is there is consistent practice. The Stoics did this really well.
The Stoics would practice self denial on a regular basis; whether it was lack of food or lack of comfortable clothing, this practice allowed them to refrain from doing things that others cannot resist doing.
As a result, they had incredible control of themselves. The self-control helped them align their life values, which ultimately increased their chances to live a good life.
“The more pleasures a man captures, the more masters he will have to serve.”- Lucius Annaeus Seneca, Stoic Philosopher
Voluntary discomfort is something that the Stoics practiced and although it may sound crazy by modern standards, it’s worth a try when you realize that you are broadening your comfort zone and eliminating the fear of discomfort.
If hunger strikes, try going an extra 20 minutes without rushing to the kitchen in order to eat immediately. Try getting up 20 minutes before the alarm goes off.
Discomfort and uncertainty allows for growth.
Eyes Up, Rise Up! Let's Go!
Now, if we could be honest with ourselves for a second, I don't think it's because we are too busy. Maybe we decided on these goals without proper mental preparation.
I believe a mindset shift can unlock so much of our potential.
Here are 3 ways to help you stay committed:
1.) Mood Follows Action:
Believe it or not, you'll get to about week 4 of January and that initial spark to go to the gym may lose a bit of it's luster. Rather than "feel like" doing something, the surest way to shift out of your discomfort or resistance is to lean into action.
Whether it's to clean the garage, prepare dinner, or workout, the easiest way to find "motivation" is to get moving! Put a 5 min countdown on the clock and see how much you can get done. 9 out of 10 times, you'll want to keep going in order to complete the task.
Take that first step. So many of us wait for "inspiration" to arrive and take us to where we want to go. Talk to any pro athlete and they will tell you that it's not everyday that they feel inspired to workout.
They just show up and get moving. From there you build a little momentum, which translates to consistency. Results are a byproduct of that.
2.) Shift your Focus.
Whatever you focus on expands!
The more you focus on the desires that you want, whether it’s alcohol, excessive food, the news or video games, the more you’re going to want those things.
Instead, if you can shift your focus to becoming the best version of yourself, then things really start to change.
Read a book, meditate, go for a walk, workout, sit in silence, journal, give thanks, talk to someone you enjoy talking with.
These are enhancing activities that can help you focus on the things that really matter in your life. Include some of them in your daily life.
3.) Train our Willpower Muscle:
Similar to how exercise strengthens the muscles, working on strengthening the “will” translates to stronger willpower. The body can only adapt is there is consistent practice. The Stoics did this really well.
The Stoics would practice self denial on a regular basis; whether it was lack of food or lack of comfortable clothing, this practice allowed them to refrain from doing things that others cannot resist doing.
As a result, they had incredible control of themselves. The self-control helped them align their life values, which ultimately increased their chances to live a good life.
“The more pleasures a man captures, the more masters he will have to serve.”- Lucius Annaeus Seneca, Stoic Philosopher
Voluntary discomfort is something that the Stoics practiced and although it may sound crazy by modern standards, it’s worth a try when you realize that you are broadening your comfort zone and eliminating the fear of discomfort.
If hunger strikes, try going an extra 20 minutes without rushing to the kitchen in order to eat immediately. Try getting up 20 minutes before the alarm goes off.
Discomfort and uncertainty allows for growth.
Eyes Up, Rise Up! Let's Go!
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