Renewing Resolve

In this month’s volume, I share an article ‘Renewing Your Resolve: How to Stay Motivated When New Year's Resolutions Fizzle Out’, keeping with the very popular theme of renewing resolve this month.?

New feature: We are rolling out the Newsletter on the first Monday of the Month each month. This way the monthly challenge will fall in synch with the monthly calendar. AND, in line with renewing resolve, you can use it to make a new start and set a new intention as each calendar month begins.

More later, for now watch out for our regular features:

Renewing Your Resolve: Strategies to Sustain Motivation for New Year's Resolutions

As the months pass, the initial buzz for our New Year's resolutions often fades, leaving us grappling with the challenge of staying motivated. The good news is, with insights into the neuroscience of motivation and practical strategies, you can revitalise your commitment to achieving your goals.

Let's meet Sarah, a dedicated professional who began the year with health-focused resolutions. Despite her determination, Sarah faced obstacles like long work hours and social commitments, causing her motivation to waver. Sound familiar?

The Neuroscience of Motivation

Let's understand why resolve weakens and how our brains seek pleasure and avoid pain. This is the key to understanding why our initial excitement for a goal diminishes over time.

Neuroscientific research highlights the role of dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked to pleasure. Celebrating small victories triggers dopamine release which leads to sustaining motivation.

Here are some simple strategies for sustaining motivation:

1. Break it Down: Instead of fixating on the end goal, break it into smaller tasks. Celebrate each achievement to release dopamine that fuels ongoing motivation.
2. Visualise Success: Envision yourself achieving your goals. Visualisation activates the brain's reward circuitry, making goals seem more attainable.
3. Find Your Why: Reconnect with the reasons behind your resolutions. Emotionally connecting to your goals provides a powerful source of motivation.
4. Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind when setbacks occur. Instead of dwelling on mistakes, focus on learning and adjusting your approach.
5. Create Accountability: Share your goals with someone who can offer support. Being held accountable provides extra incentive to stay committed.

So, don't let the mid-quarter slump derail your progress. Motivation is a skill that can be nurtured, and now you understand some of the neuroscience of motivation and by implementing five strategies I just shared, you can stay on track to achieve your aspirations. So, continue to reignite your motivation and keep pursuing your goals with?determination.

Read full articles on my website here.

You get a new day… EVERY DAY!

Wow… isn’t this year going fast! New Year’s Eve could seem like a long time ago. Did you resolve to change something?

If your resolve is waning, the good news is… we get a new start EVERY DAY.

Imagine how we would transform if we resolved to make a new start every new day.

Read more inspiring aphorisms on my website.

Click here to download the printable pdf Monthly Mindset Challenge

Click here to see more of the Monthly Mindset Challenge on my website.

Here's a neuro nugget for staying motivated: Celebrate everything you do that leads to your success, every small task or achievement along the way. Why? Because when you celebrate, you feel good, and your brain rewards you with dopamine for that accomplishment.

It's like a little high-five from your brain, saying, "Great job! Keep it up!" This dopamine boost makes you crave more of those positive feelings, creating a cycle where you become addicted to success—the small victories along the way.

Think of it like this: each time you acknowledge and celebrate your progress, whether it's completing a task, making a healthy choice, or hitting a milestone, your brain releases dopamine, reinforcing that behavior. It is the ‘feel good’ feeling you create that your brain will reward.

Over time, your brain starts associating these actions with pleasure, making it easier to stay motivated and committed to your goals. By rewiring your brain to find joy in every step of the journey, you become addicted to the process of success itself.?

So, celebrate every win, no matter how small, and watch as your brain propels you towards your goals with renewed motivation and enthusiasm.

The book I'm still reading is called The Healing Power of Meditation, by Andy Frazer and let me tell you, it's become my little slice of happiness. Now, I get it, not everyone might be into the nitty-gritty details of research, but for me, it's like stepping into a world where science meets serenity.

One of the most fascinating things I've encountered is how meditation doesn't just soothe the mind; it's like a superhero for our whole being.

Imagine this: regular meditation actually rewires our brains, bringing a boatload of goodies like contentment, resilience, and even better physical health. But the cherry on top? Learning about telomeres – these little guys essential for our longevity – and how they get a makeover with increased levels of telomerase, thanks to mindfulness. Mind. Blown.

The book is like a treasure trove, featuring insights from Tibetan Buddhist teachers, scientific researchers, and health pros. From unlocking the mind's healing power to mindfulness's role in mainstream healthcare, each page is a revelation. And let's not forget the firsthand accounts of how meditation transforms health and social care.

Whether it's Sara Lazar breaking down our brain's meditation makeover or Dr. Lucio Bizzini sharing how mindfulness tackles depression head-on, there's something here for everyone. It's like a roadmap to a happier, healthier self, and I'm here for every word of it.

Anyway, that's what's been occupying my mind lately. I’d be curious to hear what's on your reading list?

A Heartfelt Shoutout to isAntónio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations!?

In a world often fraught with turmoil and discord, there stands a beacon of hope in the form of António Guterres, tirelessly steering the ship of the United Nations towards calmer seas. With unwavering dedication and a heart full of compassion, he champions the cause of peace on Earth, striving tirelessly to create a world where conflicts yield to cooperation and understanding.

António Guterres isn't just a leader; he's a symbol of resilience in the face of adversity. Despite the vitriol and challenges hurled his way, he remains steadfast in his commitment to building bridges and fostering dialogue among nations. His unwavering resolve to tackle global issues, from climate change to humanitarian crises, serves as an inspiration to us all.

Behind the scenes, António Guterres labors ceaselessly, often bearing the weight of the world on his shoulders. Yet, he carries out his duties with grace and humility, embodying the very essence of diplomacy and statesmanship.

So, here's to you, António Guterres, for your tireless efforts in pursuit of peace and justice. Your compassion knows no bounds, and your dedication knows no limits. In a world hungering for hope, you stand as a beacon of light, guiding us toward a brighter tomorrow. Thank you for all that you do, and may your path be filled with the warmth and gratitude of those whose lives you touch.

A Heartfelt Shoutout to Gene Early, PhD , Mentor Extraordinaire!

I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to acknowledge the profound impact Dr. Gene Early has had on countless lives, including my own. As a thought leader and strategic advisor, Gene has an unparalleled talent for swiftly dissecting individual, interpersonal, and organisational challenges, guiding us to the heart with grace and wisdom.

With over 30 years of experience, Gene has mastered the art of creating space for transformation. He fearlessly confronts the "elephants in the room," sparking profound insights and catalysing transformative actions that ripple through teams and organisations.

What truly sets Gene apart is his unwavering commitment to fostering growth and catalyzing positive change. His dedication to the greater good knows no bounds. His relentless pursuit of excellence serves as a shining example to us all, urging us to rise to new heights of impact and contribution. Even as others may retire to the golf course, Gene remains steadfast in his mission, pouring his heart and soul into supporting others on their path to flourishing.

Thank you, Gene, for your boundless generosity, wisdom, and unwavering belief in the transformative power of individuals and organizations. Your legacy of leadership and service will continue to inspire and guide us for generations to come.

And always a shout-out to nature. The Dark Hedges, Stranocum, Northern Ireland.

I love that our planet inspires fantasy, like how the Dark Hedges feature in the outworld of Game of Thrones.

Most successful people know that what happens in your mind matters the most: it’s the starting point of EVERY SINGLE aspect of everything in your life.

But it’s not the thoughts at the top of your mind - the ones that you can easily catch - that have the power. It is the thoughts, beliefs, and frameworks that are unconscious that really rule.

How to bring to consciousness what is unconscious, this is what I am most skilled with … and giving bite bize mind-hacks.

I am available for:

1. Mental Clarity & Brain Reset
2. Ultimate Individualised Mindset Mastery
3. Peak Performance Mastery
4. ‘Stay the Course’ Performance Mastery

In one-to-one sessions, I facilitate a deeper connection to your innate wisdom, allowing for a journey of self-discovery and growth. Through our time together, I will guide you to set clear intentions, solidify your confidence, and overcome the obstacles that are holding you back, and move forward with newfound self-confidence and clarity.

Read more about Mindset Coaching with me: https://debmaes.com.au/mindset-coaching

I invite you to arrange a free introductory call: https://debmaes.com.au/contact-us