Welcome back to reality. After a holiday weekend sometimes it takes a minute to snap back – back to your life routines, and for some reason, especially the healthy ones. Miss a couple of days at the gym and next thing you know, you don’t even work out anymore. What’s up with that?
It’s called a lack of focus. I’m starting to think it comes from being redirected and distracted on purpose when we were infants. I know I totally took advantage of how easy it was to distract my little one when she was a toddler getting into the wrong thing. Want to get the keys from her? Just make a funny face. Whatever, it didn’t take much. Now I kind of regret that, but I didn’t know any better. So now I’m teaching her how to maintain focus on her goals long enough to achieve them.
- Write the vision, every. single. day. And don’t stop until you see the vision become reality. I got this handy little book recently that I keep with me at all times. That way if I forget to write down my goal in the morning, I can do it when I get wherever I’m going. I use one side of a notecard to write down my main goal, then below it I write down what I’m going to do that day in support of achieving that goal. The next day I repeat the goal on the back side of the card, and my action step for that day. If I don’t get the action step done, I just repeat it the next day. But the key is to never skip a day.
- Take small bites. I’ve set a goal of losing 5% body fat. But I don’t work out much, other than my running. So I’m taking some really tiny bites. That way I have some support – I was able to get my mini me to join me. And I’m not overwhelmed – we’re doing 5 minutes, just FIVE MINUTES of weight training at a time. Who can’t do 5 minutes?? We choose 5 exercises, and do each one for one minute. I’d say we’re off to a pretty good start.
- Write and say a few mantras. I started saying this one, gosh, at least 20 years ago – “I am not a garbage can”. That’s what I say when I’m about to eat something that I was otherwise going to throw away. You know, like “let me get rid of these chips”. You cannot get rid of something by eating it. Throw it away. It cannot possibly support any goal.
- Keep your word to yourself. Last night I asked my daughter how she would feel about this scenario. What if a friend told her she would come over and then didn’t even show up? When she called to find out what happened, the friend says “oh, I didn’t feel like coming, so I didn’t”. She gave me a look like “WTH?? Who does that??” I just said yeah, that’s what you do to yourself every time you say you’re going to do something for yourself and you don’t do it. OMG, the lightbulb went ALLLLL the way on. Guess who’s keeping their word now.
- Get militant. Okay, maybe that’s too harsh a word but I think you get the picture. I’ve had people tell me I have amazing willpower. I really don’t think that’s what it is. I think I just get to a point where I’m not tempted, so no willpower is needed. If I decide I’m not eating the garlic fries (my favorite) I don’t care if they’re free and you deliver them to me on a silver platter. I’m not eating the damn fries so keep it moving. I see the end of the journey so well and so clearly that nothing is going to get in the way – no holiday, no free food, no birthday party – nothing. If you have a goal in mind, you have to protect it and guard it and treat it like your baby. Other people don’t give a flip about your goals, so you cannot allow them to distract you. If you can find support, that’s great. But if not, just lead the way because someone will likely be watching and end up jumping on board either to join you or cheer you on.
When you really make up your mind about whatever it is you want, that’s it. It’s already done. So go ahead and celebrate. That’s why I love that song “Don’t Wait ‘Til the Battle is Over, Shout Now”. Love it, love it, love it!
What are you celebrating? Let me know so I can celebrate with you. I’m all for seeing you reach those goals! And what can you add to this list? I’d love to know so be sure to share below!
