One sentiment I hear frequently when someone is facing a potential behavior change is I don't have time. In today's society, time is a precious resource. Gone are the days of sitting idly on the front porch talking with neighbors or weekends full of rest and recovery. Instead we are racing from the board room to soccer practice with hardly a spare moment in our days. While this is something I want to tackle in a future post, today is about setting your INTENTION for a fresh start.
Behavior change is hard. Period. You have to be ready to make a change, to be open to new possibilities and new ways of thinking and behaving. Taking that first step is scary but once you're motivated, there is also a mix of excitement with the fear of the unknown. But what happens when life gets busy, when the unexpected pops up to set you off course and derail your best attempts?
Enter your WHY.
Before making any major life changes, stop and ask yourself WHY? Why do you want to make these changes? What is the driving force behind improving your life?
If you haven't yet figured out your WHY, this may sound silly. However, when situations arise that challenge your new routines, you will need a driving force to lean back on to keep you on track. Without a WHY that you fully believe in, it will be hard to stay consistent.
Your WHY could be anything. It's deeply personal and therefore will be different for everyone. My WHY is to be healthy enough to get to an advanced age and still be active enough to enjoy all the great things that life has to offer. I want to see my children grow up and get to know them as adults and be there for them as they experience milestones. I am also putting in work on the prevention side to help avoid or delay chronic illness. I want to live my life without worrying about medical issues or chronic pain.
Once you have determined and committed to your WHY, write it down and review it often. Now you are ready to begin! Making a commitment to your WHY will help you overcome the excuses and make your changes a priority. By making your health a priority, you will find a way to fit in.
Care to share your WHY? I'd love to hear what is important to you.
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