Do Better Today. Live Better This Year.

I do not make New Year's Resolutions. I never seem to stick to them, and I don't like to start my year off by letting myself down. Research shows that 70% of these resolutions fail by February so I guess I'm not alone. I've been thinking a lot since the beginning of this year about how to be useful to my current and future clients in a way that brings sustainable and lasting change that they can draw from for the rest of their lives, and that's what this blog is about... maybe in a rambling sort of way. 😊

When people ask me about health coaching, more often than not, it turns into a conversation about the diets that have been attempted and failed over the past 10-20 years, how they eat "healthy" for a few days and then spend the weekends binging out on chips & ice cream, and/or how they "used" to be fit and now they just don't have the time. Many times (I'm talking to my 30–50-year-old moms & dads here), I hear how at this point in their lives, they have made the choice to be a little bigger or lazier so they can actually enjoy themselves for once. They have spent years "looking good" and now being comfortable is a priority over all else.

I love talking to people about health goals and also what they believe to be failures. I love hearing these stories and conclusions that have been decided upon and the reasons behind them. Why? I love this because it is the start to moving the needle in the right direction. This is the law of inertia beginning to work. This is another human being opening up to me and telling me in their own way their past strengths, weaknesses, current challenges, and mindset.

This is what health coaching is all about, and this is the part I love. The behavior changes past and present, the desire to build new habits and face new challenges. The part that people avoid and struggle with once motivation is no longer working. This is the part that I can see and work with.

There are many common threads that I find are wound through most of these stories.

1. "All or Nothing", or binary thinking

2. Reliance on Motivation & Willpower or waiting for the "right time" to get started

3. Lack of Self-Accountability and/or Lack of Confidence

4. Fear of Challenge/Change/Failure

5. Not seeing personal/past issues causing barriers to attaining future goals

6. Simply not having a vision/plan

7. Negative social network - friends with bad habits

8. Lack of support/outside accountability

There are endless situations and variables, but this list covers most of what I hear getting in the way of building new habits to serve people for the rest of their lives. The good news is that there is a way to work through every one of these issues in a positive and rewarding way. Even if we've never met, there is one fact that I know about you because it is true for all humans.

You don't need advice - you need a plan.

A goal without a plan to achieve it is nothing more than a dream. Dreaming is great, but if you have dreams that you want to make a reality, you will not get there without a plan.

This is the first blog I have posted this year, and I want you to let it sink in. I want to inspire you to think about where you are right now in your life from a holistic perspective.

These are the questions you can ask yourself today.

How is your health physically, emotionally, spiritually & financially? In what areas are you needing some support? What areas are strong and how can you keep them that way? Why are certain aspects of your health better than others and what can you do to make them all work for you? This is the start of introspection, and also the beginning of making yourself the best you can be this year.

When you ask yourself these questions, you will undoubtedly wind up with huge goals that seem unattainable. The trick is to break them down into smaller goals that are not overwhelming and then have a system for achieving each one. Small efforts add up to monumental victories with the proper consistency. It may not be the easiest route, but it works. You don't have to do it alone.

If you need guidance or support prioritizing and discovering your goals, need someone who has your best interests in mind, and are looking for some accountability while you build self-efficacy and confidence, send me a message.

Start this year strong by asking yourself some hard questions today.

Always prioritize your health and remember that I truly believe each and every person that I talk to has the strength and ability to take back control of their life and attain the goals that are important to them.

Make this year great by being intentional today!