New Year's Resolution -> GOALS -> HABITS

So, it is that time of the year, New Year's Resolution, where people all over the world make promises to themselves. Making resolutions is the first step, but, you need a plan and a healthy dose of perseverance if you want to succeed. If you don't have a well-thought-out plan on how you are going to make sustainable changes, most likely it will lead to failure. According to research, only 8% of people achieve their New Year's goals[i]

Since fitness is always a top contender for a New Year's Resolution goal for most people and since we are Fitness Motivators, it would be fitting for us to help you reach your goal starting today. Instead of concentrating only on your fitness goals, let's concentrate on your overall goals, because all goals have the same solution.... we want to achieve and succeed no matter what it is.

First, let's stop calling this a New Year's Resolution, instead, let's concentrate on the present moment and start making positive changes in ourselves today.

Also, remember that setbacks are normal and should not spell disaster for your goal. If you find yourself starting to really wane from your goals, then take a step back, take a deep breath and know it is okay and continue to move forward, one step at a time. Don’t give up. Just start where you can (even if that’s taking a few steps backward) and head toward your goal. Think of your goals as a positive habit!

According to an article that I read at "medicalxpress", the whole focus on controlling your behavior may not actually be the best way to get people to meet goals. If you are somebody who doesn't have a lot of willpower, habits are even more important... When we try to change our behavior, we strategize about our motivation and self-control. But what we should be thinking about instead is how to set up new habits.[ii]

Below are some tips that I put together that may help you reach your goals, no matter what they are. Just don't give up on yourself.

1. Start by printing these famous "failures" (photos that I found online below and at the end of this post). Post one per week on your refrigerator (or somewhere else that will force you to look at it every day).

2. Write on a calendar (yes, hard copy please) AND add it to your virtual calendar - your goal for that day! Make sure to schedule time on your daily calendar to ensure it doesn’t get bumped by some other priority. YOUR GOAL IS A PRIORITY!

3. When you get out of bed, first thing in the morning you are greeted with your own reflection in the mirror while brushing your hair or teeth. Smile at your reflection NO MATTER HOW YOU FEEL and tell your reflection how you are thankful for one more morning and how you look forward to adding one more day toward your goal(s).

4. Get in the habit of organizing your life! If you are a messy person, take the time and start cleaning up after yourself. Living in a clean environment, where it is organized and neat, will reflect on your mood and give you one less thing to stress about!

5. Write to your "Younger Self". A lot of celebrities do this (Oprah and Tyler Perry to name a few) and I just thought this would be a GREAT lesson for us to do too! Find a favorite picture of yourself when you were young.... it doesn't matter how old you were in that picture... Just make sure that picture is at the age you would like to write about today. For some of you, this may be hard to do and I understand, but this could be a great way to get to know yourself a little better. When writing to yourself, look at that picture, because you are now writing to your Younger Self as an Older Wiser Self. You will be amazed at what you will say to this younger self and perhaps you could use some of the thoughts for the present self. :-) What will you say to your younger self?

6. Of course I cannot end my thoughts without adding Fitness Motivators and what we can do for you in a classroom. 2014 marks 25 years of offering classes to the communities and giving 100% of ourselves to well over 10,000 clients. I am not sure if you already knew this, but each of our Instructors had to go through a one year training before they were allowed to teach their first class. In addition, all of us work full time and teach because we love to teach! Please sign up for your Fitness Motivators classes sooner than later! Did you know that we plan our classes at least 4 to 6 months ahead and block the time as "busy" in great hopes that our classes are "a go" without being cancelled due to low enrollment? When the classes are cancelled because people wait at the last minute to register, it hurts the rest of us that plan in advance for the class. So please, register for your class as soon as you see it being offered. Try a new class or add a new class to your schedule! Either way, you will be in great hands! Fitness Motivators Schedule

Thank you for your time and let me know how you are doing with your goals! Please leave a comment and become active in my blog!

Remember, it takes time to make positive change, no matter who you are and what your goals are! By planning your goals, it will develop into a positive habit. It could take us over two months of daily repetitions before the behavior becomes a habit.... Repetitions gives us the greatest boost in automaticity. Habits took to form, anywhere from 18 days up to 254 days (with an average 66 days for most people).

Print these images and POST THEM where you can see them everyday!