From your “Health and Wellness” Aspiration to Fulfillment

Have you ever set a health and wellness goal, felt excited and motivated, only to have it fall by the wayside? Perhaps you get distracted or too busy; maybe it seems too difficult. As physical therapist and yoga teacher Kristin Williams and I continue our conversation about health and wellness, we explore what we have found to be the best approaches to goal setting and achieving success in the hopes that you will be able to set and achieve goals this year (and next) that can contribute to your overall wellness, and ultimately, happiness.

Oftentimes, it’s easy to blame ourselves for not achieving our goals or for “slacking off,” without realizing that this is not only a common problem, it’s part of the process.  Taking disciplined steps towards our goal is an acquired skill, and as such, takes practice, perseverance, support, and a healthy dose of compassion (see our last blog post).

Here’s what works for us:

Be realistic.

Are your health and wellness goals realistic? If you’re not sure, how can you tell? One of Kristin’s physical therapy clients reached out to her because she was concerned about her changing body. She felt like she was in a slump. “She was complaining that her health routine was feeling overwhelming,” says Kristin. Turns out she was trying to get back to a routine she did several decades ago. On top of that, she was currently back in school full time to get her advanced degree. Her goal to be able to do what she did in her younger years was setting her up for failure.

This story underscored for me the importance of setting realistic goals. A realistic goal will be something that continues to build upon small successes day and day, brings joy each day, and fits into your schedule (which is our next point).  

Create structure.

Where does health and wellness fit in your schedule? And does it integrate all the necessary elements, including time, for your mental fitness? Tall order. What is working for you and what are your struggles? 

I know what works for me is to have time set aside on my calendar just like my other meetings. I have set aside an hour each morning before 7am that is just mine. Also, integrating small bursts of health and wellness time peppered in throughout the day has done wonders for me – a 5-min breath break, 20 mountain climbers, a quick posture scan in between meetings has brought just as much benefit as my hour each day. These small breaks have helped me stay centered and ready for the next challenge whether it comes from work or my child during his virtual school days! 

Of course, it is important to celebrate hitting and missing the plan. Deadlines, life, and lack of motivation on certain days are all real. After a long journey of self-compassion, I have learned to celebrate the days I miss my hour of health and wellness just as much as the days I make it to my scheduled time. 

Maintain sight of the bigger picture.

I wasn’t one of those kids who regularly did handstands and cartwheels, but one of my goals, especially as a yoga teacher, was to be able to do a handstand.

I’d look around at the other students in class floating into handstands and I really wanted to do it, too. I kept trying until I realized I was doing more harm than good. I was frustrated, and it didn’t feel good. I stayed away from yoga for four months.

Doing a handstand was not a realistic goal for me, and I had lost sight of the bigger picture, which was to be healthy and balanced. I distinctly remember the day Kristin told me she would not practice handstands with me anymore. I was a bit stunned, but she is a wise teacher and a trusted friend. She was sending me a clear message!

What would have been a better goal? Turns out I need a more comprehensive plan that includes running, weights, yoga, meditation, and rest to support my bigger picture goal of bringing my whole self to work and my life. I measure success by my ability to respond and not react to difficult situations at work / home.  I know that when I have served my body and mind, I find the space to welcome curiosity and empathy and so measuring success with the space I have created for others is the right one for me! It feels great to have an arsenal of activities, and I think the rotation has allowed me to bring my best self to the rest of my day.

Find power in purpose.

Big-picture goals can be turbocharged (and clarified) by combining them with a meaningful purpose. 

“When I ran the Marine Corps marathon, it was to honor my dad. I wanted to wear the T-shirt that said, ‘Proud daughter of a Marine,’” explains Kristin. “If it had been a regular marathon and my knee started to hurt, it would have been so much easier to quit.”

My goals are driven by bringing my whole self to work and my life – to be present, to make decisions with grace and equanimity, and to make a meaningful impact in line with my values.

The best goals have an alignment between both, an internal and external purpose in mind. Your goal to be healthier can be aligned with wanting to be a better parent or having more energy to pursue your career aspirations. Your goals may change (maybe starting with one run a week then adding in a bike ride), but your purpose will most likely remain the same (i.e., being able to play with your grandchildren.) Having these in sync will go a long way in creating the motivation and habits that result in overall health and happiness.

Can you align a health and wellness goal with a larger purpose that will fuel your motivation? What is your experience with finding realistic goals? Share your thoughts in the comments below!