Day 28 will help you watch out for a few pitfalls that might arise.
We’ve talked a lot about this challenge about how to stay on track with your resolutions. There are a lot of tricks and strategies for pushing past resistance and finding the motivation you need to succeed. As we near the end of our time together, I’d like to address some things not to do as you pursue your goals. These are some of the most common reasons people fail in trying to reach their objectives. Watch out for these resolution pitfalls to greatly increase your chances of success.
Negative Focus
It’s tempting to place see our flaws and weaknesses in the spotlight when we’re looking to make lifestyle changes. That makes sense. There’s something we don’t like about ourselves or that we feel needs to be improved upon, so we make a resolution to change it. However, a change in perspective can make reaching your goal a lot less painful. For instance, instead of saying, “I’m lazy and waste too much time,” try telling yourself, “I haven’t found my passion yet and am eager to do some exploring.” The messages we tell ourselves tend to lead our actions.
Trend Seeking
Fads come and go. It’s easy to want to jump on the bandwagon or to feel like you should be doing what everyone else seems to be. That’s why so many of us tend to make resolutions we don’t really find meaningful. Deciding to pursue a goal that feels like something you “should” do because so many people are you are doing it is being inauthentic to yourself and your core values. It will only lead you to become disenchanted or frustrated along the way to your destination.
Quest for Perfection
A surefire killer of resolutions lies in trying to be perfect. We’re all flawed individuals. We’re bound to mess up from time to time. This is especially true when attempting something new or out of our comfort zone. Be sure to cut yourself some slack when going after your goals. Expecting perfection is self-sabotaging and often leads to an unfulfilled dream.
Loss of Excitement
In the beginning, the excitement and novelty of your resolution is often enough to carry you along. Later, you may find yourself getting too comfortable or finding that things have become routine. In these times, it’s easy to slide back into old habits because you’re not paying as much attention to your actions or you lose focus. Finding a supportive cheerleader, writing yourself visual reminders or other similar actions can be the motivation you need to get past the slump.
There are other pitfalls I’ve presented in past posts such as trying to go it alone, not being specific in your goal-setting or failing to measure your progress. I wanted to share some lesser-known issues that can crop up and sabotage your success. Now that you’re aware, it will be easier to avoid them.
Why Do We Make Resolutions – Day 1
The Importance of Setting Goals – Day 2
Value of a Support System – Day 3
Motivation is Key to Progress – Day 4
Measure Your Progress – Day 5
How to Make Resolutions Stick – Day 6
Are You Making Smart Goals – Day 7
How Habits and Routines Can Help You Stick to Your Resolutions – Day 8
Don’t Go It Alone – The Value of a Support System – Day 9
Motivation Is Key – Keeping Your “Why” Front and Center – Day 10
The Value of Measuring Your Progress Along the Way – Day 11
A Journal Can Be a Powerful Tool for Goals and Resolutions – Day 12
Success Tip – Don’t Try to Change Too Much at Once – Day 13
Kick Overwhelm to the Curb by Breaking It Down into Baby Steps – Day 14
Break It Down – From Resolution to Daily Task – Day 15
Stay Motivated by Looking at How Far You’ve Come – Day 16
Celebrate Milestones, Successes & Accomplishments – Day 17
The Power of Cheerleaders, Coaches, and Cohorts – Day 18
Get Back on That Horse When You Fall Off the Wagon – Day 19
Visualization Exercises Can Help You Reach Your Goals – Day 20
Resolutions Change Over Time and That’s Ok – Day 21
Go from Resolution to a Lifestyle Change – Day 22
Keep a Habit Tracker – Day 23
The Importance Of Your “Why” – Day 24
Tips For Dealing With Critics – Day 25
There’s Nothing Wrong With Bribing Yourself To Success – Day 26
A Mentor Or Coach Can Be Helpful In Reaching Your Goals Faster – Day 27