Let’s say hello to lasting change!

We’ve heard this before, and the encouragement to lean into real change.

But what’s wrong with typical resolutions and what’s the alternative?

Resolutions are notorious for holding out til around the 10th of Jan! And it’s not your fault!

Here’s the reason why:

1. Concrete Goals

Concrete goals are when our focus is on the task and not the outcome. This drastically lowers our chance of success.

For example: ‘implement a self-care routine’ or ‘Lose 20 kilograms by Christmas’.

2. Too Big Too Soon

People tend to want scale the goal, before a single action is taken. Research shows us that going too big certainly does send you home a little too soon.

3. Too Impersonal

Grabbing someone else’s goal and popping it on your resolutions list is never going to work. It’s too impersonal and the brain won’t be fooled!

Try this approach instead:

1. Create Abstract Goals

Different to concrete goals, abstract goals focus on the outcome in detail. This detailed description feels so good to visualise, our sweet brain gives us a little dopamine rush. After meditating on this, it drops this goal into our subconscious, and that folks, is the driver of our behavior.

Example: Trade ‘Take better care of myself’ for ‘Journal every day for 30 minutes’.

OR

Swap ‘Lose weight by next Christmas’ for ‘Feel fabulous, strong, healthy and confident with the warm sun on my skin, and the sand on my toes by the next beach holiday’.

2. Start Small

Bite-sized chunks is enough for our brain to focus on, and achieve. It avoids overwhelm, which instigates adrenaline. Too much adrenaline doesn’t create long-term success for building our dreams at a productive pace.

3. Detailed + Ownership

Similar to abstract goals, here is where you need to use details, and specifics to make each goal YOURS!

Instead of: ‘Change career’ try ‘Look for 5 new jobs before the end of January’

4. Make One Change At a Time

As a society we are absolutely overwhelmed with data all day long!

50+ years ago it took us a year to hear what we consume in a week on the internet, today.

Life is coming at you fast, and sometimes our brains are trying to make head or tail of what’s a threat and what’s a gift!

Don’t let your goals be another threat to make that flight or fright kick into gear. Give your central nervous system some love, and introduce the actions to your goal, one at a time.

And on that note, may 2021 be the best you have yet to see in this glorious journey called life.

Blessings, and Happy New Year. x

3 Facts to Help You Kiss Resolutions Goodbye (and 4 Easy Tricks to Welcome the Change You Crave)