January usually feels like it is 90 days long. But I’ve never experienced a January so quick to be over as this one. We blinked and it’s nearly the 31st. Okay not quite, but you must admit, things appear to be moving quickly.
Also, all the resolutions I made are already in the “murd”. I couldn’t even catch my breath. Lol. If you are like me and you have already begun to break your health, fitness, and productivity goals that you made barely two weeks ago, fear not. We are still on track. But we cannot continue to do the same things, expecting different results. You know that popular Instagram reels audio na, “break the pattern or the loop will repeat tomorrow.”
And in what way are we breaking the pattern? I believe it is by being result oriented and not resolution inclined. It is by setting systems and not just goals. Here are a few ways I’m learning to approach things.
There is no right date, actually
January 28th is as good as January 1st. And I know there is some sort of magic ginger that comes with the new year, but trust me, you can begin to turn your life around at any point of the year. Only about 8% of people that make New Year’s resolutions actually make it through the first month. So, there’s no point trying to wait for a new year, you can set systems and processes for the goals you want to achieve any time of the year.
Forget speed or giant leaps
People try to change their lives automatically. It’s just not possible. And setting abstract, nonspecific goals lead to a psychological thinking that you can control your future. That you can turn your life around overnight. But setting smart goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time bound.
It’s okay to fail and start over
No matter how driven you are, you may find yourself falling short. You might give up, skip a day in your routine or program. None of that matters. Forgive yourself when you fall. Start all over again.
It takes practice to form a habit
This comes off as a premise from my last point. Give yourself time to adjust to this new and amazing productive person you want to be. Nothing happens overnight. On the contrary, it takes 21 days to build a habit. And if you put your heart to it, it can work out the way you want it.
Discipline, not determination is what keeps you consistent
We may have the best goals at heart, but it’s discipline that gets us out of bed every morning to take on these tasks. Goals are not exactly as romanticized as we make them. You’re not going to feel like it every day. But discipline will help you get passed the door.
Being result oriented means taking on tasks and seeing them through. It means breaking up those tasks and processes into bite size steps to conquer bit by bit. You cannot just resolve to be fit. Or resolve to switch tech careers at the end of 2022. You must draw up a diet and fitness plan. You must take tech skills related to that. You should measure those steps; you have to be able to go back to the drawing board when things are not working out. And you should be able to forgive yourself when you misstep, pick up and try again.