It’s that time of year when everyone is talking about New Year’s resolutions. And you know, typical resolutions just👏 don’t👏 work👏.
So instead I’d like to give you a fresh new way to make resolutions called… INSPIRED HABIT RESOLUTIONS.
First, the 2 problems with typical resolutions…
PROBLEM 1: Typical resolutions are goal-based which is a problem because that’s a focus on a far-off outcome instead of something you can do right now.
PROBLEM 2: Typical resolutions often feel like a burden or another tedious chore on your to-do list which is a problem because you lose motivation to stick with it.
So the solution is…
INSPIRED HABIT RESOLUTIONS
Resolutions based on things you can do right now that excite you.
The 3 steps to make INSPIRED HABIT RESOLUTIONS…
1. Pick habits that feel good.
This activates our natural motivation system. Meaning, if we do a behavior and like it, we naturally want to do it again. Oppositely if we dislike doing something, we aren’t as likely to want to do it again.
2. Write them down & look at them daily.
Life gets busy, so it’s important to keep them top of mind. Most of the time habits fail because we simply forget they are important to us.
3. Use the “goldilocks principle.”
This means make sure the habits you choose to change are not too easy and not too hard, but just right. If they are too easy you can get bored, but if they are too hard you can become overwhelmed and stop.
Below are 4 examples of INSPIRED HABIT RESOLUTIONS.
Pick one that most speaks to you or let these inspire you to create your own…
1. Keep a Joy Journal.
Joy is a nutrient many of us are deficient in. Keep a journal of small, daily things that you find joyful and make sure you get a daily dose of joy. Joy can boost immunity, keep the stress hormone cortisol in check, and keep your motivation to eat right and exercise strong.
2. Take Gratitude Showers.
In the shower, as you are washing each body part, tell it how grateful you are for what it does for you. Sometimes you may even want to apologize for nasty things you’ve said about it. When you are grateful for & appreciate your body, you’re naturally more motivated to treat it right through good nutrition and exercise.
3. Practice Table-Plate-Chair Eating.
Instead of rushing through meals, aim to eat all meals sitting at a table and eating from a plate. That means no eating while standing in the fridge, on the couch watching TV, or while working at the computer. This helps you slow down to mindfully enjoy your meals and digest your food properly (yes, that means less bloating, too!)
4. Make Weekly Fit Dates.
Plan fun, active things to do with friends and family instead of the usual going out to drinks or dinner. A fit life is not only the time in the gym and training, but also staying active in-between workouts. Plus being social strengthens your feeling of connection, which is a longevity habit.
