As we progress deeper into the New Year, how many resolutions have you initiated and how many have you already tossed to the wayside? Truth of the matter is, we often make a laundry list of goals that we truly want but never achieve. Why? We tend to set ourselves up for defeat the moment we start dwelling on all the work that each goal is going to take to achieve it.
Improving you takes the three P's: Persistence, Patience and Perseverance. When you understand that you control your actions and thoughts, you can begin setting resolutions that you can and will achieve. That is what self-empowering is all about! We all have the power within ourselves to coach ourselves to be a better person. What I have said often is that it takes work on your part to discipline yourself to reach your highest potential.
One of the most popular resolutions we make is losing weight and getting fit. Just as we begin dieting and exercising, we realize how much energy and motivation it takes to get a move on things. Goals are always easier made than done!
The problem in goal setting is that you:
A) list way too many to realistically achieve,
B) start on a goal but lacks motivation to keep it going, or
C) you give up on a goal before you even start working on it.
Sound familiar? If you are honest with yourself, you know what you are capable of in a reasonable amount of time. So how do you do it? You coach yourself to set and achieve goals by making benchmarks. Let's say you want to lose 20 pounds this year. We both know that it is unrealistic to lose all that weight in one month. But, if you pace yourself to lose half a pound to one pound weekly, that's doable. The second part of that goal is to not permit negative and self-defeating thoughts to enter your mind. When you start saying things like, "I'm never going to make it," or "I just can't do it," chances are you won't. Instead, focus on completion and seeing yourself through to the end. Empower yourself by pushing through your negative thoughts and refuse to make excuses.
The third part of the goal is to remain consistent. You must be steadfast in your mindset if you sincerely want to reach your highest potential. You cannot allow external influences to alter your course. Once you have a realistic goal -- whether it's losing weight, finishing school or just competing in a race -- and you have the mental constitution to keep it going, there is no stopping you.
I work out 5 days a week either at the fitness center or by walking several miles a day. When I first get started each morning, I feel tired and sometimes defeated. 5 minutes into the workout, I hear my mind saying, this is hard—I can’t continue—I don’t think I will be able to finish but before I know it, I keep going—seconds turn into minutes and all of a sudden, I find myself saying—I am half way done—I’m getting there. It is so easy to psyche yourself out by feeling defeated and weak but that is when you need to go to your reserve thinking and coach yourself by saying: “I can do this—It is important for my well-being.”
It never fails, by the time I have finished my workout, I feel exhilarated and content knowing that I did it again. WOW, I empowered myself to not only feel better but to also be proud of my success in defeating my weaker self. Only you have the power to lasso your mind and pull it in to respond to your desires. Only you can improve your quality of life as you reach for your highest potential, but I might add, you are not the only one to benefit from an improved you. Your family and friends will enjoy knowing the new you as much as you will.
