Beyond "New Year, New Me": Building Habits for Lasting Transformation

I had a turning point in my life in the summer of 2003 when I looked in the mirror and realized that I had gained 37 kg in just four years, bringing my total weight to 101 kg. I was uncomfortable and lethargic, so I decided to make a change.? I was so driven to lose weight and be fit that I became very consistent about my workout routines and eating habits. Not only did it make me lose 25 kg of weight, but 20 years down the line, I feel really good about me and my consistency.??

Although both our genetic structure?and lifestyle have an impact on our health, I concentrated on my?lifestyle because we have little control over what makes up our genes. The focus on taking control over our actions is essential in life. Of course, luck plays a role, but talking about it is useless since it always works in ways that are outside of our control.? ??

The new year has just begun; you may be looking forward to accomplishing a few things, just like it happens every year in the beginning. January 1st is a day that inspires people to start something with commitment, dreams, and a lot more. We've all been there on the "New Year, New Me" rollercoaster, soaring with excitement, and after a while, we lose the spirit to do it. But why does this happen? Why do those bold promises we make to ourselves fade away gradually? We always have this question in mind how to bring consistency to life?

Around 6–7 years ago, I felt a real need to spend time with our team as the company was growing. I started blocking my calendar for a month in advance. Even though it looked like an extra work while doing it, when I started doing it, I felt more and more fulfilled about the actions that I had taken.

If you observe, the moment I got present with the purpose in any domain of life, I started putting it in structure so that it doesn’t fade away. After the structure is laid out, I feel more subliminally driven to do what is needed. But the first step in everything is to have a purpose. When an idea repeats itself in your head without any action on your part, it implies that you want to achieve it, but perhaps your routine or old?habits are getting in the way. Just start declaring your purpose confidently and put?together your actions towards achieving it. Without taking decisive action, things begin to fade and, before we know it, we are back where we started.

The key elements to achieve our purpose lie in taking responsibility and maintaining unwavering consistency. To achieve our dreams, we just need to honor our words. We need to hold ourselves accountable. "A promise broken is trust taken"; self-trust and self-commitment is invaluable. So, keep your word in all circumstances, particularly the commitments that you make to yourself.?

Life is a journey in and of itself; it's not just about getting somewhere. Enjoy each stage of life?as it comes! Celebrate the little victories and don't worry about mistakes. Just take a lesson from them, pick yourself back up, and keep going. Find someone to guide and cheer you on, like a coach or a friend who is also on a journey to become a better version of yourself.

Resolutions should be treated with the utmost respect since they are your most significant commitment to yourself, and you make them because they align with your values and life's purpose. Remember the old Hindi saying, "Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye" — life may go pass, but your word must endure. Apply this to your resolutions.

Let this year mark a change in the narrative. Be the hero of your story, living with purpose, excitement, and integrity. It's not about doing something huge; it's about doing small things regularly that turn into big wins.