A different approach to achieve your goals.

Stepping into a New Year often inspires us to start something new or change a habit. But the results of a 2024 Forbes Health Survey reveal that an ongoing commitment to New Year's resolutions only lasts two to four months. Why do we fail to achieve goals we’ve set for ourselves?

When we approach setting goals as a to-do list, we miss a vital component of what is required for change - knowing how we want to be. Asking ourselves, “What will it be like to achieve this goal?” connects our thoughts with our emotions, which influences our actions and behaviours. Research shows the three most popular New Year goals relate to health: exercising more, eating healthily, and losing weight. To successfully achieve these goals requires addressing habits and replacing them with new ways of thinking. What if we reframed ‘doing the goal’ with ‘being the goal?’ Wanting more physical exercise can be achieved by building the habit muscle of disciplined routines. Healthy eating requires thinking differently about nutrition. Wanting to lose weight involves more than diet plans. Shedding the weight of negative thoughts and beliefs we have about ourselves is often the first step to achieving healthier bodies.

What negative thoughts about yourself need to change for you to be living the life you want?

Setting goals and intentions encourages us to be a healthier version of ourselves and to show up in life the way we want. As James Clear (author of ‘Atomic Habits’) says, “Every action you take is a vote for the person you wish to become.”

‘Visioning your future life’ is an exercise I give my clients. Some questions asked are. “How will I feel when living my best self becomes a reality?” and “What changes have I made to achieve this?”

When we focus on who we want to be rather than what we want to achieve, a daily plan of action takes on a new meaning for gaining success. 

I am constantly reminded of this, and sometimes it takes a few days for me to realign my thoughts to give more attention to my ‘being’. But I will always surround myself with people who help me to be a healthier version of myself. This is key to achieving personal growth.  A life choice made today can create a positive ripple effect tomorrow. Trish