Sustainability

Sustainable.

I use that word a lot because it is an important concept that we tend to overthink or worse, ignore.

You may be highly motivated right now. Research shows we have increased motivation when we are well rested and fed. This makes total sense around the holidays when our workloads are possibly less and our gatherings around food are often more numerous.

We may choose to use this motivated state to enter into a contract with ourselves to make many big changes all at once. We may be feeling guilt about our choices and a desire to make a timely amends. A ‘rip off the bandaid’ kind of mindset that can feel good while planning but is usually difficult to maintain.

The unfortunate consequence of the big change philosophy is that we can end up giving ourselves too many rules and expectations to manage. When ‘life’ begins to pile on, and it will, we lose our footing and get discouraged, ashamed, and give up. It’s a process that wreaks havoc on our self esteem.

Instead, let’s use this time of motivation to choose sustainable changes you can stick to, even on the hardest of days, and reframe your mind to prime yourself for success.

Our goals should start with the healthy things we know we can do. These goals will be different from person to person, so it is best to give it some thought on your own rather than copying someone else. The weather or your work schedule may not allow a long walk or an hour in the gym every day, but can you commit to an increased step count for your weekly average?

Going above and beyond is obviously ok, but knowing that we have a commitment we can keep even when life is hectic will increase our wins. We want to choose non negotiable goals that we know we can build into our daily routine and will ultimately help us reach our end goal.

I’m not telling you to give up the big goals—but rather to build on smaller goals step by step. Gain confidence (and competence) by having a fall back plan that you can stick to, even in tough times.

Eventually the small goals will become second nature and you will be able to consider a new small goal to build on to your newly formed routine.

All change may be difficult at first. But sustainable change will eventually get easier. It becomes habit and well, a normal part of your day requiring less and less will power.

So dig in. Make a change that you are excited about. Something you know you can stick to- and build on it when you are ready.

You are worth it.