Set your goals and work towards them

When making change, some building blocks can help.

When we declare it's time to make a life change and we launch forth, usually in the new year, why is it that a few weeks later we've often forgotten what it is we were trying to change, or have given up as it's just too hard?

Partly it's because we're led to believe that making changes and setting goals is child's play and anyone should be able to do it. Just choose what you want to change and go for it!

Unfortunately that's not the truth or the reality for most of us. Anyone who's struggled to get fitter, lose weight, learn a new language, learn to respond differently under stress (the list is endless) will know it can be hard work.

The truth is we need to look at our attitude to life and change, examine our beliefs and be prepared to modify them or let go of any that are holding us back and consciously make a commitment to work at changing our lives on a daily basis.

We need to put in some groundwork to give ourselves a good foundation to base long-lasting changes on. There are no quick fixes!

With that in mind here are my top tips for helping you to get the groundwork right.

ATTITUDE

What is your attitude towards making change in your life? Why do you want to make changes? Is this something you want to change for yourself or is it because someone else thinks you need to change something?

If it's something someone else wants you to change then be honest with yourself, and them, that it's not what you want and long-term it's unlikely to be sustainable change.

BELIEFS

Henry Ford said ''whatever you think you can or can't do, you're right''.

Do you believe you can make and maintain the changes you want to? What's going on in your head; what are you saying to yourself? I can, I can't, I always stuff this up? Be mindful of your self-talk.

If the self-talk is negative then take a step back and ask ''what is it I'm really feeling here?''

Acknowledge if you're fearful, overwhelmed, confused etc. Don't try to push it away, it's OK to be feeling that and it makes you human along with the rest of us!

Can you believe there is a possibility you can make a small change? If so, then start with small changes and get some momentum going.

COMMITMENT

How much time and thought are you truly prepared to spend making changes? Does what you do on a daily basis take you closer to your desired change? What's one thing you can do every day to move you towards what you want to achieve? Keep a journal, wall chart or notebook.

Make it fun. Do something different. Get support, especially for when you can't be bothered or it's tough going.

''The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results''. - Benjamin Franklin

- Jan Aitken is a Dunedin-based life coach. For more go to www.fitforlifecoaches.co.nz.

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