Steadfast Consistency: Our Only Hope for Successful New Year’s Resolutions

The new year brings with it the craze of New Year's resolutions: a time when many of us ponder our goals and aspirations for the months ahead. Therefore, there is no greater time to discuss the key aspects of goal achievement.  

In our digitally connected world, it's easy to fall victim to the influencer facade. With just a few clicks, we can access the lives of millions, witnessing the daily successes of others. Consequently, we find ourselves disheartened before the day even begins, questioning why so many others are motivated while we fall short. But there is an integral piece of information that society fails to communicate: even the most successful, healthy, and happy individuals do not run on pure motivation. In fact, the key to success is not mere motivation but rather steadfast consistency. 

Consistency plays a crucial role in achieving our goals by providing a stable and reliable framework for progress. When we consistently apply effort, habits, and dedication towards our objectives, we establish a rhythm that promotes success. This steadiness helps build momentum, making it easier to overcome challenges and stay focused on the desired outcomes. Consistency is a muscle, the more we use it, the stronger it becomes. Whereas motivation is a feeling. It is fleeting and unpredictable, making it an unreliable source of fuel in the pursuit of our goals. Motivation fails the best of us because it is impermanent. Every professional athlete, successful leader, business owner, and health nut has felt a lack of motivation. Ultimately, we depend on developed discipline on the days where motivation feels out of reach. 

Let's explore practical tips to cultivate and maintain consistency in on our health journeys:

• Have a “why” statement. This is a concise statement that outlines the purpose of the goal you are working towards. Repeating your why statement before you perform the habit you’re trying to cement can help carry you through the tough days. 

• Ex: I will meditate every morning because I value my mental health and want to make time for stress management on a consistent basis so I show up as my best self for my family and clients. 

• Develop 3-4 core values. These values will help you align goals to the things that are most important to you and the life you envision living. When goals are aligned with what matters most to us, we’re more likely to want to see them through.
  Make sure the list has no more than 5 values. When everything is important, nothing is important. 

• For a list of values click here. 

• Track your progress. We overestimate what we can do in a month and underestimate what we can do in a year. It is easy to feel as though no progress is being made, but if you make an effort to log each time you do the designated habit or task, you will see the impact of your efforts over time. Easy ways to track progress include using a notebook, checklist or calendar, sticker chart, or a habit tracking app. 

• Create realistic goals. If you want to get fit and eat healthier, set the bar within reach. When we shoot for the moon we can feel overwhelmed, leading us to fall short which leads to feelings of failure. Rather than cutting out all sugars, can you start off by adding in more fruits and vegetables? Once you hit the bar you’ve set you’ll likely feel inspired to increase intensity or frequency to make things more challenging. 

• Learn from Setbacks. Reframe the bumps in the road as learning opportunities. Analyze challenges, adjust strategies, give yourself permission to be imperfect. and persist with renewed determination. The journey towards goal achievement is not meant to be perfect. It is within the struggles where lessons are learned and resilience is gained. 

• Celebrate progress along the way. If you are waiting to get to the finish line to celebrate your wins, you’re missing out on much deserved joy. Each day you practice a habit is a step forward, a small victory that deserves recognition. Embrace the journey, acknowledge your efforts, and find joy in the consistent pursuit of your goals. 

Let's embark on the upcoming chapter armed with the knowledge that lasting success is not found in fleeting motivation but in the unwavering commitment to consistency. May the new year be a canvas for your persistent efforts, each day a brushstroke contributing to the masterpiece of your goals and well-being.

Cheers to a consistent and fulfilling journey ahead!