A whole new year is before us.
Filled with possibility, opportunity and the promise of a fresh start. Intentions are set. Resolutions are made, and new schedules are nicely laid out. There’s an invigorating sense of motivation and a renewed determination that fills the air.
And truly- I love the positivity and hope that accompanies a new goal.
I love the optimism and excitement around the goals and ambitions set and I know that the things you set your mind to are within your reach- they are possible and doable and within your capacity.
What’s perhaps best about this season is that this is when it is easiest to stick to all these things. This is the time when it is simple to do what you said. You’re excited and motivated and nothing can stop you.
However, it doesn’t take long for that seemingly easy to find motivation to wane.
Early morning workouts don’t seem as fun.
It’s hard to get to the gym after a long day at work.
It’s dark and cold and snuggling on the couch with some comfort food seems way more appealing than anything else you said you would do.
In truth, this is when it gets hard- when the reality of your resolutions sets in.
Those goals you set seem to lose their significance in lieu of comfort and familiarity, and it’s so so easy to fall off your perfectly curated schedule and slowly settle back into old habits. The very ones you’re trying to stay away from.
You realize that those big changes you set to make all at once aren’t the most realistic and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the enormity of it all.
But here’s the thing: you do not have to make huge, drastic changes all at once to reach your goals.
When it gets hard to stick to what you said, this is where you need to remember that it’s consistency and small changes that make all the difference. Rather than focusing solely on the big grandiose changes, you have to give credit to the little habits.
These are what added up over time- matter.
This is the difference between a forced, unrealistic quick fix and true transformation that lasts.
Because reality is, even when you are in the best shape of your life or you’ve reached all your goals there are still going to be days that are hard!
Days where you just don’t want to.
And it is in these very moments that your daily habits matter. Your willingness to show up and be consistent with the little things makes all the difference.
It is because of this consistency that the days that throw you off do not hinder your progress.
They do not sabotage your intent and derail you for weeks to come.
They are the very reason why you can indulge when you want to, savor your favorite things, take time off and enjoy celebrations.
When you are rooted in your daily habits and committed to consistency the occasional disruptions do not consume or control you.
So while I am all for big, audacious goals I also want to remind you that most times it’s the small, seemingly unimportant steps that are going to get you there.
They aren’t fun or sexy or loud. They aren’t the moments people are watching or maybe even noticing at all.
But they matter.
They build within you a confidence in yourself that you do what you say, that you can do hard things and your goals are absolutely within reach.
I hope the possibilities of this new year excite you and challenge you!
I hope you take hold of every single opportunity, set big goals and go to work on accomplishing them, remembering all the while that it’s small steps that pave the way to the greatest achievements you will ever make and habits that will last a lifetime.
If you want some accountability and extra resources for creating new habits and developing a strong mindset, join the 8 week Habits/Mindset challenge starting January 13th! Email Liz at [email protected] for more details or to sign up.