3 Secrets to Progress.
Why do most New Years Resolutions fail?
Why do some of my paints not want to button?
I think I know the answer to both…
Mismanagement of Process and Misunderstanding of Progress.
In part 1 of this post, we talked about a process in “a new approach…”
This time around, let’s discuss the progress we make (or don’t make).
From my days as a “gym guy,” I can tell you confidently that the stereotype of us disliking January is very true.
The gyms get overcrowded and the majority of people that show up at the first of year don’t last.
On behalf of the gym community, I’d like to say that we need to get over ourselves a bit here. It’s a good thing to have people want to exercise and get healthier!
However, the truth hurts. And the truth is that most new memberships don’t make it past month one (or week one).
There’s several reasons as to this happens. We can talk habits and brain chemistry another time.
For now, let’s focus on our word progress again.
Many give up exercising because results or the dream body we desire isn’t attainable or very visible in the first week or two.
Transformation requires application.
May I add, sustainable, consistent application.
As mentioned in part 1 of this post, anyone can write a goal on the wall. Few of us put a plan in place to make it happen.
Even fewer of us stick with the process.
Consistency and sustainability are more than just buzz words.
To be consistent, we need to have discipline.
To be sustainable, our target needs to be attainable.
In order for both of these to happen, we need to measure how we progress.
Here are 3 secrets to keeping score of your progress:
1) Daily Drop-ins
This consists of time every day to focus on ourselves.
I like to think of it like this, when you get on an airplane and they go over the oxygen mask procedure… we are told to put ours on first before assisting others. Why? Because what use are we to others if we can’t breathe.
Whether it’s 10 seconds or 10 minutes a day - Take time to ask yourself the questions from our last post, daily.
Helpful Hints:
Keep your words visible somewhere so you are reminded to take to time to evaluate.
Schedule an alarm or alert at the same time daily
Try including it in your morning routine (while you brush your teeth, shower, etc.)
Turn off or mute the phone when you get into bed and make better use of that time.
2) Weekly Write-ups
Our next step takes more diligence and intentionality.
Before we talk about it, I just want to mention that “write-ups” as a kid in school were NOT a good thing. I’m officially taking this phrase back from my 6-9th grade teachers. These write-ups are encouraging moments that pinpoint transformation in progress.
On a day of your choosing, write down a sentence or two from the week where you inched closer to one of your words.
What moment or handling of a scenario did you feel best about? Which word did it help you to start personifying?
Helpful Hints:
Keep a jar with scraps of paper near it to remind you to do this weekly. Fill the jar with these moments.
Keep a running tab on a “notes” app on your phone
Start an actual journal.
Blog about it!
3) Monthly Microscopes
We’re used to hearing “the first step is the hardest.”
In this case, I believe the last step may be the hardest.
This requires is to sit with someone we know, whom you’ve shared our words with, and allow them to give you an outside perspective on how our actions are aligning with our words.
It doesn’t have to be someone you interact with daily. But it should be someone who knows you well and who has your best interests in mind.
Helpful Hints:
Share your weekly write-ups
Be honest (even when it’s uncomfortable)
Be vulnerable (…even when it’s uncomfortable)
Listen (Do. Not. Argue.)
If we can start to identify, even in the littlest of ways, the progress we’re making - we’re far more likely to keep moving forward!
It’s go time!
“We can know everything we need to know but if we don’t do what we need to do…
We will not grow into who we want to become.”