07/07/2021
Seven steps to promote wellness changes in your life!
1st
If you want personal development and transformation it has to start with a plan!
Fail to plan- a plan to fail!
Choose goals that are a good fit for you, but a stretch!
Create a plan and employ strategies that can help you succeed.
It may not be the first goal you feel you should choose, but you're much more likely to succeed if you set priorities that are compelling to you, and feel attainable.
2nd
Ask yourself this question.
Why am I doing this, and whom am I doing it for?
The answer must be quantified, and it should be all about you if you want your changes to be sustainable.
Too often we make goals for others, or for reasons outside of ourselves, like skinny jeans for a high school reunion. Your goals should be all about you!
3rd
Select or create strategies for change that feel like they are achievable. Set yourself up for success!
Whether it’s eating healthier, stick to exercise, or ease stress, it’s best to concentrate on just one strategy at a time. Push yourself but be realistic, don’t do it all at once, when you feel comfortable with your progress in one area, you can then focus on the next area for change.
4th
Commit yourself.
Plans can’t be conceptions.
Make a written or verbal plan complete with selected strategies to yourself.
Make sure you include time progression goals so you can chart your progress. The ability to see how your progression will encourage through tough spots.
Be detailed about the change you've chosen and why it matters to you.
If it's a step toward a bigger goal, include that, too.
Example, I'm making a commitment to my health by planning to take a mindful walk, two days a week. This is my first step to a bigger goal: doing a stress-reducing activity every day (and it helps me meet another goal: getting a half-hour of exercise every day). I want to do this because I sleep better, my mood improves, and I'm more patient with family and friends when I ease the stress in my life.
5th
Be predictive of potential obstacles. Maybe you'd love to try meditating, but can't imagine having the time to do it. Or perhaps your hopes for eating healthier an extinguished the minute you're hungry at night and you feel like you want to eat the house. When our kitchen cabinets and refrigerators aren't stocked up with healthy foods we enjoy we crash and burn.
Brainstorm ways to leap over obstacles.
For example, I'll get up 20 minutes early for exercises and fit in a 10-minute walk before lunch.
Kitchen absent of healthy choices?
Think about five to 10 healthy foods you enjoy and will put them on my grocery list.
6th
Make sure to love on yourself!
Your strategies and progression plan should include achievement rewards. For example, if you hit your goal progression timeline reward yourself with something positive and impactful like a new pair of jeans, or a massage, get your nails did, whatever appropriate.
Do not reward yourself with food rewards, this approach can be counterproductive to promoting a healthy lifestyle change and becomes a bad cycle like,
“I have done so well this week, I’m going to reward myself and eat a cake!” We have all been there. No such thing as cheating- you way yo plan or you don’t; it a choice and it is planned. No exceptions.
7th
Have realistic expectations with the timeline of your goals and pivot when they are not promoting effective change.
Success is a long game- play it. When a strategy is not yielding results or your objective the analyze the situation and tweak your strategy in ways you think it might result in your intended outcome!
Now get to planning your personal transformation!
Love yourself and make it happen- you’re worth it!
💙💚✨