4 Steps to Succeeding in Your New Year Resolutions

4 Steps to Succeeding in Your New Year Resolutions

56230_488596299531_6222058_oOne of the amazing benefits and bonuses I have found in serving others is that every time I give to others, they simultaneously give to me in return. Often the gifts they give to me extend further than they realize possible or initially intend. One of the gifts I recently received from one of my favorite couples that I coach is an awesome podcast from NPR’s The People’s Pharmacy entitled Tapping the Science of Willpower for the New Year. After their agreement that I would find the information beneficial and in alignment with the philosophies I embrace, teach, and live by, I queued it up for a listen while working on a blog post I was inspired to write on resolutions and succeeding in creating lasting change in 2014. Not only did I indeed find the podcast beneficial and brilliant, it shifted the direction of my post into what you are reading now :)

In the podcast (which I encourage you to listen to if you feel called to do so: http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2013/12/28/840-willpower-science/), guest Kelly McGonigal, PhD, award-winning psychology instructor at Stanford University and health educator for the School of Medicine’s Health Improvement Program, offers amazing insights and understandings as to the science behind willpower and how it effects our New Year’s—and year round—resolutions and commitments to create desired change in our lives. Dr. McGonigal’s sharings fell perfectly in alignment with what I planned to share through my blog on how I’m succeeding with my commitments for 2014 and inspired me to focus this post on four key factors as to why I am succeeding in my resolutions, which will set you up for success in the new year, as well!

 

  1. Get Clear. What is your intention? If you do not know what you want your life to look like, you risk squandering valuable time, money, and energy. Take a moment to envision what changes you would like to create this year. It’s all about getting your actions in alignment with your words and desires. What’s at the forefront of your mind is at the forefront of your actions. If your only vision of your life is glances back to what you experienced in the past or what you do not wish to experience in your future, you’ll be destined to experience those very things again this year. Bottom line: This year is going to happen rather you make changes or not. If you continue doing the same things throughout the year that you are doing now, what will the end of 2014 look like for you? If you don’t like the answer to this question, 164562_10150131678694532_8330411_nI encourage you to take a couple moments with yourself to gain some clarity around your ideal 2014. Dr. McGonigal also encourages those seeking to create change to get a picture of what they want their future to look like, as well as envisioning your future self if you do not create the changes, and the consequences this will bring.
  2. Chunk it Down! Often we subconsciously set ourselves up for failure by taking on everything at once. We over commit and under deliver when we take big steps that are new to us or we are not in the habit of doing. Before I mastered creating lasting change in my life, I’d take too large of a step toward my goal and come up short every time, so this year I embraced a different approach and set small, simple, easily accomplished commitments. For my commitment in reclaiming my post-childbirth-body, I committed to doing 3 push-ups, 3 squats, and 3 crunches every day. While I am aware doing this will not get me on the cover of Fitness magazine by the start of swimsuit season, my true goal is to get back in the habit of exercising regularly, while creating a new exercise habits that honor the fact I’ve got a little one to tend to throughout my day. Now of course that doesn’t mean I can ONLY do 3 of each, it simply means if it’s 11:45pm and I’m crawling into bed and realize I have not followed through on my exercises and all I have to do is drop and give myself 3, I’m far more likely to do so (and I have, by the way) than I am to get my workout gear on and do a 30-minute exercise routine. I’ve also found that once I start to do my exercises, I easily am inspired to do far more than three (I’ve also discovered my little angel makes quite the inspiring little cheerleader).   I learned from Dr. McGonigal a great question to ask yourself: What’s the smallest thing you’re willing to do that is consistent with the vision you have for your life? Following through with small steps daily brings improvements daily. Committing to big steps and not following through brings no improvement. The smaller the commitment, the more likely to have the success experience, and ultimately the more likely to continue with creating the change.
  3. Take it one day at a time. Again, with the overwhelming view of having to take something on for the whole year or the rest of your life, it’s easy to get caught up in feeling you may never reach your goal. Creating lasting change takes time. You are where you are right now due to your current habits. Those habits took time to create. You did not wake up on day being exactly as you are now. Your new habits will take time, too. Focus on today. Be here now. 55437_488514854531_5872982_oIt is only in the NOW that you can make the choice that most serves your desired change. If you miss the mark and fall short of your intention for the day, be kind, loving and patient with yourself, and recommit for the next day. Dr. McGonigal reinforces this self-kindness by mentioning how those that are hardest on themselves for not accomplishing what they set out to do are more likely to continue their non-serving behaviors for the long-run, especially if they use the setback as evidence that there is something wrong with them that keeps them from succeeding. Again, lasting change is a journey taken one step at a time.
  4. Get accountability. I know, I know…if you are like how I used to be, you cringe at the thought of accountability. To succeed in transforming your life, accountability is key. As I learned to embrace accountability, the easier my life became. Often, we do not want to tell others what our goals and commitments are because we fear embarrassment or letting them down if we fail to follow through. This very reason is a great reason to get accountability! I cannot tell you how many of my commitments I follow through on solely because I’ve told my accountability partner that I was going to do. Plus, my accountability partners allow for me to reach out to them when I’m feeling overwhelmed, uninspired, and tempted to fall short of follow through, and they always assist me in getting back on track. Dr. McGonigal points out that part of willpower is recognizing where you have support and being able to plug yourself into that support when needed. We are not in this alone. We are meant to link arms and champion one another to success. By posting this blog, you have become one of my accountability partners and I appreciate your support!

 

I would like to extend my support to you, as well, and assist to ensure you create the lasting change you desire for 2014. If you are in a place in your life that you can read this post and put it to work instantly benefiting from its wisdom, good for you! 52365_10150094825604532_3530204_oGo for it and reap all the rewards that are destined to be yours! If you read this, resonate with the information it contains, feel inspired to get into action, and could benefit from some additional support, I encourage you to consider participating in my virtual workshop series that begins Monday, January 27. Living From the Heart is a 12-week series guaranteed to set you up for success in creating lasting change this year. Not only will we dive more in depth on each of the four steps I referenced in this blog post, we’ll cover the entire foundation for creating lasting change in your life.

When I say “guarantee,” I mean exactly that. You seriously have nothing to lose in the new year except fears, self-imposed limitations and non-serving habits!

With my 100% money back guarantee for up to one year upon full out participation and completion of my virtual workshop series, the design of it allowing you to complete each week at your pace, honoring your schedule, unlimited access to my personal support via email and text you are set up for success! The next three months are going to happen anyway. What will three months from now look like if you continue to do live life exactly how you are right now? If you keep doing what you’ve been doing, you’re going to keep getting what you’ve been getting. You have nothing to lose. No excuses. Go for it. You are so deserving! Results are guaranteed. Register today!  https://holisticrestoration.com/happenings/virtual-workshop-series/lfth-virtual-workshop-series/ If you are reading the post after the start of the series, don’t worry, you don’t have to miss out. Contact me today to find out about the Living From the Heart home study course!

I appreciate you taking the time to read my posting & I’ll be posting great new information, tips & tools regularly. If you have a recipe you’d like for me to try out & review, topics you’d like to hear about, or any other comments, feedback, or suggestions, kindly send me a message to AskCrissy@gmail.com and I will address the matter in a future blog posting. Be sure to subscribe to my Blog & YouTube Channel, visit my website regularly, and follow me on Facebook & Twitter, to stay plugged in to all of my offerings. As always, I wish you infinite love, blessings, peace, and joy as we take this journey together. I am blessed & honored to share my path with you.

Crissy

2 thoughts on “4 Steps to Succeeding in Your New Year Resolutions

    1. Yay, Joy!! Thank you for your kind words, never-ending support, and for taking the time to read my post and leave a comment. It is my highest honor to contribute to your life ♥

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