How To Stay Commited to Your Health and Happiness

For many people, knowing what they need to do to feel healthier and happier in their life is often a lot easier than actually following through with it.

I am sure you have experienced times in your life, or perhaps even currently, where you set a goal, made a resolution, devised a plan of action for your desires for yourself personally and/or professionally, and then before you know it, you are back to just thinking about it or it becomes a passing thought.

Perhaps your goal is to lose weight, be or eat healthier, be happier, walk or exercise more, make a certain quota, go on more sales calls, get projects completed, overcome a fear, spend more time with family or friends, or tackle your to-do list, etc.

You may even start off on your objective like you are off the runners mark before the gun is even fired. You have a plan and THIS time you are sticking to it, right?

Then before you know it, your momentum slows and then you stop working towards the goal you said you originally wanted.

The part of yourself I call "Victim Thinking" has entered the building, which in this case, would be your thoughts.

It's that voice that says tomorrow you will start, or talks you out of what your plans are, or makes excuses, or on some level actually creates an occurrence to stall or set you back, or makes a non-believer out of the believer in you.

This voice can be conscious or unconscious. If you aren't succeeding at your goal, you can bet that victim thinking is lurking in your thoughts and making other things more important than you, your happiness and well-being.

So how do you stay committed to living a healthier and happier life when that little voice you may or may not hear is trying to sabotage your results?

Become aware of your thoughts and/or excuses that are holding you back or getting in the way. When you are conscious of what's stopping you, then it becomes easier to work with the thoughts instead of thoughts working against you.

If you have set a goal or devised a plan of action towards something, and if you aren't following through with it, or something or someone (being you) gets in the way, then it's time to call in the reinforcements and become liable. Not just once in awhile, but frequently.

Choose someone in your family, or a friend, or a coach, mentor or counsellor to help keep you on track and hold you responsible for what you say it is you are working towards.

You are more apt to stick to your goal(s) when someone is holding you accountable for them and cheering you on when you need it.

Set a date you wish to start, and not next month or year.

Create a plan of action. What steps are you going to take to accomplish what you would like?

Be reasonable about the actions you will be taking. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day. When you succeed at the small steps towards your desired outcomes, then it's a lot easier to believe it's possible to now take and succeed at the larger ones.

Know when you or someone else needs to challenge you more as you can become idle in your thinking and way of doing things and may need to take steps to get moving again.

Congratulate yourself whether you are taking big or small steps. Some goals are harder than others and take time and persistence. Acknowledge your growth, commitment, and hard work.

Don't beat yourself up if it takes you longer than you thought, or if you start and then stop and then start again. What's important is you get right back to it.

Old habits and mind-sets are hard to break, but that doesn't mean it's impossible.

Don't rush from one goal right to the next. Take time to enjoy the progress you have made and to make sure your next goals are in alignment with where you are now. What's truly important for your continual growth, health and happiness?

The attempts you make are never failed ones if you are learning what isn't working and then staying committed to discovering what does.

"When it is obvious the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps". Confucius.

Remember, don't give up; try, try again. You CAN do it!

Using these techniques with insight will assist you in not only staying on track with your goals but making sure they are in harmony with you and your vision.