A few weeks ago, I shared seven tips to make the most of this time, this ‘training camp’ we’ve all been given.
Almost immediately, I heard feedback. Many shared that you agreed with some tips and disagreed with others.
Essentially, those seven tips are what is working for me right now. My hope is that if one or two of them work for you, you can implement it. In other words, take what works for you, and leave what doesn’t.
Stop Saying What Sounds Good
So often, we say we are going to do something because it sounds good. Whether we share in an accountability group, on social media, or even just to ourselves, we put so much thought into what looks good or sounds good to others.
And you may even start out on a strong note with your new commitment. But inevitably, if it doesn’t resonate with you, it will fall to the wayside. The last thing any of us should be doing is making goals or taking actions because we think it looks good to others.
Create Commitments that Work with You
Instead of getting into a cycle of starting and giving up commitments, take some time to flesh out what resonates with you and your current situation. When setting new goals, you can:
Draw Inspiration from Others
If you hear a tip or strategy from another person, and inside you are screaming YES!, take time to think about what excites you about the goal. You can use this to understand your reasoning for moving forward with the commitment, making it easier to follow through.
On the flip side, if you come across something that doesn’t land, again, take the time to discover exactly what doesn’t work for you. There may be parts you want to change to fit your needs. Other times, you’ll find it doesn’t fit at all, and there’s no use starting something that won’t work for you.
Understand Your Why
Why is this commitment meaningful to you? The reason must be strong enough to keep you going during your most unmotivated moments. Impressing other people won’t cut it here, so dig deep and determine what you are willing to do – and why.
Make It Attainable
Often, people think about the finish line and want to start off doing everything at once to get there. Start with what’s attainable for the next six weeks. At the end of that time frame, if you’ve implemented the first step, add on the next step for the next six weeks. Following a schedule like this allows the flexibility to change and adjust along the way.
Once you have commitments that work for you, start implementing. You’ll find them much easier to stick to when you prepare carefully.