Did you start the New Year off motivated to crush all the resolutions you set?
January first hits and you have committed to stop hitting the snooze button, eat healthier, work out more and get more quality YOU time. You want to lose fifteen pounds, tone up and stop eating as much fast food.
You set your alarm for 5:00 a.m. on Monday morning, your gym clothes are laid out on your nightstand, your By Design lunch is packed in the fridge and you have scheduled a massage for later that afternoon.
And then this happens…
You hit the snooze button four times. It is now too late to make it to the gym, so instead you rush to get ready for work and because you are scattered, you forget your lunch in the fridge and will have to eat at the cafeteria instead. It is snowing… hard… so your commute to work is slower, which makes you late. You end up cancelling your massage appointment so that you can get caught up on work.
Can you relate?
If you set ambitious New Years resolutions only to feel disappointed a couple weeks into January because you have already hit snooze, skipped the gym, eaten off track and put everyone else before yourself… then this one simple strategy is for you.
Ready for it?
Journaling.
Writing in a journal can potentially solve every single challenge, struggle, dilemma, frustration or confusing scenario in your life.
One of my mentors Dan Sullivan always says, "It's not the problem that's the problem, it's the way you look at the problem that's the problem." Journaling can help change your mindset when it comes to difficult situations and can help you brainstorm a solution.
Clarifying deep and meaningful goals and remaining committed to them is not easy. But a great way to understand what it is that is anchoring you to the goal in the first place… is journaling.
Journaling is the process of writing out what makes you tick and why you think and behave the way you do. But please understand that you are not writing a novel for someone else to read later.
As Dr. Kreso says, "There is only one rule; do not censor yourself."
So here is what you need to do:
- Schedule time in your day, every day, to journal. You may choose to journal during your morning ritual or at the end of the day. The time does not matter; just choose a time that is consistent for you.
- If you do not already own one, purchase a journal. My favourites are Moleskins.
- Start writing! Spend thirty minutes a day writing down whatever comes to mind. Great questions to start asking yourself are:
- One win that happened today was…
- This win made me feel ____________ because...
- One challenge that happened today was…
- This challenge made me feel ____________ because…
- I fuelled my body with ____________ food and I felt…
- One thing that I will continue to do that is working great for me is…
- One thing that I will stop doing that is not working for me is…
And as your thoughts clarify you will be able to notice opportunities that you can leverage to help you meet your goals.
If you get stuck, leave a question below and I would be happy to help by responding to you personally.
For more simple By Design recipes why not pick up your copy of the Eat By Design Cookbook. I’ve created it in the form of a 28-day meal plan (plus grocery lists!) so you don’t need to think about what’s for breakfast, lunch or dinner for the next month. Or you can grab the first 7 days FREE by clicking here.