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We’ve made this decision to embark on something different and we’re rearing to go.
Starting something new is always exciting.
This tends to be the case with all things new whether it’s a new habit, new job, new relationship, or the like.
Keeping things on track, however, is the real test.
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Maintaining and building on this newfound journey is where the majority fall prey to defeat.
The realisation that we’ll be required to make consistent investment into this area of our lives, can quite easily drench the initial fire and enthusiasm with which we first began.
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So, what’s the best way to ensure you’re keeping things on track when it comes to this new venture because let’s face it, you started with a particular outcome in mind.
The ability to stay consistent is more reliant on avoiding certain things than implementing particular traits so I’ll begin with those.
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Firstly, to successfully remain consistent it’s absolutely necessary to avoid relying on feelings of motivation.
Making moves because were motivated is admirable but not sustainable in the long-term.
When you started out, feelings of motivation were probably a contributing factor.
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In order to sustain your efforts and even build upon them, we must never however depend solely on such emotion.
It’s virtually impossible for any individual to feel motivated everyday of their life.
And why?
Because we’re human.
Every feeling we’ll experience whether good or bad will always be temporary.
For as long as we’re alive, we’ll go through changes to our emotions more regularly than any of us would probably like.
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The ability to feel, is what makes us human. We should embrace it because it’s who we are.
Similarly, however, in the context of our life choices, it’s expedient we remain loyal to our decisions and prioritise the work over how we feel at any given time.
This reinforces our discipline and consistency, securing long-term investment in such ventures.
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Secondly, avoid overwhelming yourself.
There’s always the temptation to overload ourselves simply because we want to get things done ASAP.
We’re excited to see the results we desire, and we know in order for that to happen, it’s reliant on us and the work we apply – so we want to do it all.
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Think of it this way.
Rather than sitting back and seeing another year go to waste, you’ve actually made the decision to do something.
Some years from now you will have achieved so much more than if you did nothing at all.
To see those results later down the line however, we need to make it there. And to make it there, we need to pace ourselves.
Think marathon, not race – little drops of water make a mighty ocean.
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Doing the work slowly and steadily reenforces consistency, and the discipline and resilience you’ll need to keep going across the long-term.
It’s going to take a little time to reach your targets and you want to ensure you’re keeping pace throughout whatever duration that might be.
Do not overwhelm yourself with too much.
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Avoid burning yourself out at all costs – because if you do, it’s equivalent to removing the coach and their best player during the height of the season.
Rather, spend time developing an effective strategy that allows you to do everything necessary within the time you have each week.
Most importantly to add to the above – allow flexibility.
Life happens, and sometimes we’ll need to adjust and manoeuvre accordingly.
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The strategies you develop don’t need to be mountainous, just mustard seeds you slowly build on.
And as per point 1, whether you’re feeling great or not – keep the movement happening.
If you have a day where you feel particularly besides yourself, show yourself grace and take a day or even up to a week off depending on how intense things are.
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During any breaks, however, as much as you’re taking time to rest – Plan.
Complete idleness can lead to growing procrastination which can then land us back to square one.
If you’re planning your next steps during your wellbeing downtime, you’ll keep your head in the game, and it’ll be easier to fall back in line once it’s time.
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Lastly, there’s something I want to encourage you to embrace – Struggles.
I once heard one of my favourite speakers mention “pressure is privilege”.
He didn’t say much else than repeat that sentence.
Initially, I wondered what it meant but the meaning soon hit as life went on.
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The conditions of our lives that make life feel unbearable should be used as incentive to do the work.
Whether you’re in an unpleasant living situation, working with toxic colleagues, have an obesity related disease, or are wondering how you’ll pay the rent or mortgage next month – every tough lived experience should drive your hunger towards achieving your targets.
“Pressure is privilege”.
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The situations we detest can be the things which provoke us to keep moving until things change.
Your goals and ideas have the potential to change your life for good so every life hurdle you encounter, should be used as inspiration to get you there.
What truly sucks in life right now, can become something of the past indefinitely but – it requires you to do the work.
He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: Proverbs 28:19a
