Every year we start filled with resolutions, hope, and determination. We know that after the year we’ve just had, 2021 is going to be the year where we balance, correct, and embrace a healthy lifestyle.
In looking at lifestyle, health experts advise a 3-prong approach. First, identify obstacles that could go wrong. Second, get in touch with your core motivation. Third, take small actions to create your positive quality of life.
As we enter this first quarter of 2021, let’s take a closer look at how to achieve your goals to restore self-esteem and embrace a healthy lifestyle this year.
Identify Potential Mistakes
As you may have been experiencing, coming up with a long list of goals is the easy part. Anticipating potential mistakes and identifying key obstacles is often a little trickier.
Many of the obstacles we face come from daily mistakes in our habits. This has never been more obvious than in the last months of lockdown and quarantine. Keeping a positive, upbeat mood has been challenging for many people. If you’ve been feeling a little less energetic and enthusiastic about achieving your personal goals, you are not alone.
Three common mistakes stand out at the top:
- Never asking for help
- Feeling wiped out by New Year’s Day
- Hanging out with negative influencers
If you have been noticing that you’re not moving forward with your goals, consider these three possible reasons. Once you do this, you’re ready to move to one of the most powerful steps in accomplishing your goals.
Connect with a Personal Why
Simon Sinek, best-selling author, and inspirational speaker emphasizes this important step for goal achievement: finding your personal ‘why.’
Sinek is the author of several books including Start with Why, on the importance of finding your why. With this insight in hand, he says, “We imagine a world in which the vast majority of people wake up every day inspired, feel safe wherever they are, and end the day fulfilled by the work they do.” His work confirms that when people know their compelling reason for taking action, they do it.
Connecting with personal motivation is the key to break free from limiting habits and negative choices. You’re not relying on anyone else or an external authority.
By defining your reasons for change, mental health experts note that you can access vast inner resources of energy, focus, and practical action.
If you’re having a hard time doing this on your own, you may want to enlist the help of a personal friend, coach, or mentor. Making significant change is often easier with the support of a professional coach.
A personal coach is trained to assist in investigating potential habits of thinking, self-esteem, and motivation that help you access what matters most to you. Working with a professional counselor can also help to identify your inner motivation to overcome obstacles and achieve your goals.
Take Actions to Create Positive Results
All of us care about how we see ourselves and how other people see us. This may affect our self-esteem and self-confidence. To manage this most effectively, taking small actions is key.
If you’ve been feeling that there isn’t enough time to exercise’ make a list of small actions. This may include meeting up with a friend, going for a walk in the morning and evening, and taking the stairs.
If you’ve been grappling with your appearance, explore how to improve how you feel about your looks. This might include consulting a plastic surgeon and learning about new developments in technology.
Dr. Binder of Beverly Hills notes, “the consultation should be an educational experience for the patient. The heart of the consultation is managing patient expectations and providing realistic goals.”
If you’ve been struggling with weight gain during COVID-19, define easy actions. This could include talking with a nutritionist, experimenting with Intermittent Fasting, reducing sugar, and cutting down on soda, and eating more greens.
Sum Up
As you refine your goals for 2021, take this three-prong approach. Identify mistakes, find you why, and take a specific action. With this gameplan, achieving your goals is within reach.
