A time for real change, not a temporary New Years Resolutions
Each year, we get stuck in the same old rut. We pledge to start over. With the ringing of the new year, we all promise ourselves to change.
Stop. Please.
We are creatures of habit. We do the same thing daily and we don't even realize that most of our behaviors are automatic. Repeated behaviors are the result of decision shortcuts in our brains. Think about it. If you drink coffee every day, do you think anything about how you like it? No, you order the same 1/2 caf, soy milk latte, with a shot of espresso and whipped cream on top. Most people aren't inspired to be different.
Change is hard.
If you really want to change, we need to start with little things. Most people do not have the discipline to completely change. For lasting change, we need to start with the small habits and keep adding new and better habits.
By now, you are probably thinking this relates to "getting healthy", "losing weight" or "eating better". While those goals may apply, I am trying to identify a way to rewire who you are.
Create a new habit.
Habits don't change overnight, but small changes in behavior are easier to get to stick. We want GOOD STICKY HABITS
Here are Two examples:
- To remove soda consumption, start with the reduction of the first serving. You'll never remove a soda/redbull habit without starting with the omission of the first serving.
- If you want to learn something new, use your calendar to set aside some time for a small portion of education. Setting that time aside blocks your calendar and makes the goal attainable. Could you ever get that certification if you never crack the manual to study?
Trade THIS for THAT
Learning from Men's Health Magazine, I picked up a trick that allows us to make better choices, when the choices may seem equal. This could be choosing between two good choices or choosing between the lessor of two evils.
For example, you're traveling and you're hungry. You have no other choice but to eat from McDonald's or Burger-King. You plan on having a burger, but does it matter which one? Let's compare a McDonalds cheeseburger vs a 99cent Whopper. McDonald’s Hamburger has 240 calories whereas Burger King’s Whopper has 650 calories. Yes, the Whopper would be more filling, but not THREE times as filling, but it does have nearly 3x the calories.
End your New Year Resolution now, but change forever
Using these two tips, you can make small changes to change your habitual mind. No one is going to go from couch potato to marathoner over night. As we learned from the Wizard of Oz, start from the beginning. One step at a time. One small habit (step) at a time.