The Best Solution EVER for setting goals

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Setting goals can be a daunting task that may set you up for failure. This ONE tip may change everything. It has been my greatest lesson to date.

New Year, New You 

This sentiment has always bothered me. 

The idea that come January 1st of every new year I need to somehow reinvent who I am is downright awful. 

We are all enough, just as we are. 

Each of us is beautifully created with our own set of strengths, talents, and yes weaknesses. It is learning from these traits that we can become a little bit better each day. 

Being a bit better every day is an idea I can get behind. 

Imagine that instead of throwing all of our energy into being this “idea” of perfection we have cooked up, we instead choose to be 1% better every day. It may seem insignificant and small, but it’s doable. 

Imagine if we let go of this insane idea of instant change and perfection that is magically supposed to happen at the onset of each new year and instead chose to give ourselves grace and love. 

If you have a new goal to work out every day and you start the year going to the gym for an hour every day, chances are you are going to burn out VERY quickly. 

Even if you can’t get to a gym, your living room can make a great place to work out. Use my website, Pinterest, and YouTube for tons of FREE workouts! Outfit Details Top: Adidas Stronger For It Sports Bra  Bottom: Adidas 3 Stripe Essential Pant 

How Long Does It Take To Form a New Habit 

Habit change is a slow and steady process. It takes 90 days to build a lasting habit. So instead of going FULL force, let’s take the concept of 1% better every day and apply it here. 

If you are not currently going to the gym, set a goal to go to the gym for 2 minutes. The habit you are forming is not working out every day but waking up and getting to the gym every day.  Anyone and everyone can squeeze in 2 minutes. Our brains can accept this idea readily. Then as you get into the habit of getting to the gym every day, you can add on a bit more time. (May I suggest 1% longer every day?)

What is Lazy Brain and Why It Matters 

Our brains are hard-wired to be lazy. We are designed to create pathways within our brains to make things mechanical and easy, therefore freeing up brain space for other tasks. Think of your habits as well-worn hiking trails. It is way less work to stick to the trail then forage a new path into the untamed wilderness. 

We can use our brain’s tendency to be lazy in our favor by hacking our way to better habits. Because once the new trail has been forged, it’s now there for easy use EVERY day. 

Our brains will be ok with the idea of going to the gym for just two minutes. That is an idea it can get on board with. Once you arrive at the gym, stay there for two minutes – hop on a treadmill, elliptical, do some squats or lunges – JUST be there! Here’s the trick, leave after two minutes. It will feel silly. But remember, our goal is to make a habit of getting to the gym, not actually working out. Your brain will call foul if you stay longer and it will be harder to talk yourself into going back.

Once you have been going for two minutes consistently, only then can you start adding more time to this new habit of yours. 

This may seem super strange and weird but science is on your side. Believe it or not, this WORKS! 

You can use this method when setting goals, or to start any new habit. 

The idea is to start the habit in the simplest, most straightforward way possible. Think to yourself what is the easiest way to build a new path to the behavior I want to change. 

So instead of setting goals that are based on being some new version of yourself, focus on making small changes that will leave you 1% better than you were yesterday. 

That my dear friend is how you can make real, lasting changes, not only in your personal health and wellness but in all areas of your life. This is how the game of setting goals is forever changed. 

 

For more information on habit formation check out Atomic Habits by James Clear