It’s the time for New Year’s resolutions and dreams for the future. Some of us may have reviewed the past year in our minds and saw things we dislike or things we want to change. Many of us have set intentions to get more exercise, eat healthier foods, spend more time with our kids, practice yoga more often or start meditating.
Why do so many New Year’s resolutions fail after a week or a month? One major reason is lack of consistency. It’s very hard to be consistent in daily habits. It requires planning, scheduling and continuous determination. Some people call it willpower. But I think that’s only part of the story. If willpower and intention alone were enough, we’d all be at our ideal weight, taking three yoga classes a week and cooking deliciously healthy dinners every night.
Family commitments, work schedules, travel and long commutes are common roadblocks that keep people from being consistent in their habits.
So what will help us overcome the roadblocks, establish consistency, and keep it going for many years? It depends on what your primary roadblock is. Calendars and digital reminders can be helpful if your main problem is finding the time to exercise or remembering to bring your yoga clothes to work on the right day.
Sometimes the roadblock is mental or emotional. People stop going to yoga class because they don’t feel as fit or flexible as the rest of the students. People break their healthy eating resolutions because they feel disappointed and frustrated when the pounds don’t come off fast enough.
Consistency requires a proactive, optimistic mindset. Without that, it’s too easy to skip what you intended to do, whether it’s meditate for 20 minutes or swim 30 laps. Being proactive means that you devote the time and energy needed to figure out how to make your intention happen. Being optimistic means that you believe your efforts will be rewarded. That has different meanings for everyone. The reward could be having better emotional health, enough mobility to play with a grandchild, or enough stamina to take several walking tours in Paris.
We want consistent results that are maintained day after day, week after week, year after year. Nobody wants to be on an erratic, disorienting wave of ups and downs in their eating patterns, exercise habits, weight and health metrics.
I’d encourage you to think of consistency over a number of decades, rather than the short-term picture of this week. What have you been consistent about for a long time, and what has helped you do that? I’ve had a dog for the last 16 years, which has made me very consistent in my walking habits. We take a 10- or 15-minute walk three times every day. Without my dog, I would probably skip the days that are rainy or snowy. But he keeps me going, even when I’m tired or sick. Is there something similar that could make you more consistent? Perhaps a workout buddy or a new playlist of upbeat songs each month would make the difference for you. A personal trainer, nutritionist or health coach might be the support you need to achieve consistency.
Think deeply about what your primary roadblocks were last year and address those first. Then see if your consistency improves. Don’t give up in frustration if you make mistakes and fall off your plan. With a positive outlook, you can start again the next day and get back on track. Good luck!
Why do so many New Year’s resolutions fail after a week or a month? One major reason is lack of consistency. It’s very hard to be consistent in daily habits. It requires planning, scheduling and continuous determination. Some people call it willpower. But I think that’s only part of the story. If willpower and intention alone were enough, we’d all be at our ideal weight, taking three yoga classes a week and cooking deliciously healthy dinners every night.
Family commitments, work schedules, travel and long commutes are common roadblocks that keep people from being consistent in their habits.
So what will help us overcome the roadblocks, establish consistency, and keep it going for many years? It depends on what your primary roadblock is. Calendars and digital reminders can be helpful if your main problem is finding the time to exercise or remembering to bring your yoga clothes to work on the right day.
Sometimes the roadblock is mental or emotional. People stop going to yoga class because they don’t feel as fit or flexible as the rest of the students. People break their healthy eating resolutions because they feel disappointed and frustrated when the pounds don’t come off fast enough.
Consistency requires a proactive, optimistic mindset. Without that, it’s too easy to skip what you intended to do, whether it’s meditate for 20 minutes or swim 30 laps. Being proactive means that you devote the time and energy needed to figure out how to make your intention happen. Being optimistic means that you believe your efforts will be rewarded. That has different meanings for everyone. The reward could be having better emotional health, enough mobility to play with a grandchild, or enough stamina to take several walking tours in Paris.
We want consistent results that are maintained day after day, week after week, year after year. Nobody wants to be on an erratic, disorienting wave of ups and downs in their eating patterns, exercise habits, weight and health metrics.
I’d encourage you to think of consistency over a number of decades, rather than the short-term picture of this week. What have you been consistent about for a long time, and what has helped you do that? I’ve had a dog for the last 16 years, which has made me very consistent in my walking habits. We take a 10- or 15-minute walk three times every day. Without my dog, I would probably skip the days that are rainy or snowy. But he keeps me going, even when I’m tired or sick. Is there something similar that could make you more consistent? Perhaps a workout buddy or a new playlist of upbeat songs each month would make the difference for you. A personal trainer, nutritionist or health coach might be the support you need to achieve consistency.
Think deeply about what your primary roadblocks were last year and address those first. Then see if your consistency improves. Don’t give up in frustration if you make mistakes and fall off your plan. With a positive outlook, you can start again the next day and get back on track. Good luck!