STYLE | Health and Beauty
Small changes,
big steps By Hattie Ma cA nd rews Con f idence a nd Mi ndset Coa ch
Believe it or not, it’s that time of year again. January, the month we ma ke a series of fanci f u l promises to become a better, shinier version of ourselves, a l l in honour of the New Year.
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hether it’s to lose weight, take up a new sport, run the marathon or learn how to cook – we’ve all been there. Perhaps you’ve been on those first few jogs, have been drinking less, or you’ve been sticking to a new diet, in which case I applaud you. In most cases, it’s only a matter of time before the inevitable happens – work/family/ life gets in the way and you forget all about the new shiny you. You feel guilty and disappointed for giving up, but life goes on. What if it didn’t have to be like this? What if you could learn the art of setting sustainable goals and finding the motivation to really see them through? Of course you can, here’s how:
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1. Understanding your ‘why’? A common theme for clients at this time of the year is understanding the art of breaking down goals, and more importantly, knowing how to stick to them. I refer to it as an art because it truly is a way of thinking which, with discipline and perseverance, then becomes a way of life. In a fast-paced society, accustomed to having everything we want at the click of a button, the idea of making small incremental changes can feel slow and frustrating. There must be a shortcut? How can I get this done quickly and more efficiently? What’s the secret? The truth is, there is no secret. A big stumbling block is failing to explore and understand your ‘why’. Let’s take running the marathon for example.
Ask yourself: What’s my motivation for wanting to run the marathon? What will it feel like once I’ve done it? Who am I really doing this for? Me, or other people’s perception of me? Will I be happier once it’s complete? Be curious about your true motivation for achieving your goal, and you’ll have a better shot at success. This exploratory part of the process is just as important, if not more so, than setting the actual goal itself.
