This is the year I’m finally gonna do it! Workout more, eat healthy, drink less, and go to bed on time. Oh, and be nicer to people. And floss.
Every year we “resolve” to live better, look better, and be kind to our bodies. It was really easy (and fun!) to plan Dry January while downing my third Negroni on December 30th.
But then comes the first Monday of the year. The alarm goes off. It’s too dark, cold, and early for any of this BS. I guess I’ll just have coffee for breakfast and figure out my new-year-new-me diet at lunch. A few days later, I really need to get to the gym. And maybe “dry” January can be weekdays only.
I think you know how this story ends. If by mid-month you find yourself in similar circumstances, you probably had great intentions but didn’t have a plan.
Wish lists are nice, but a wish is a destination. And without a plan to change your behavior, you might as well be driving blindfolded. So if you want to make lasting changes for 2022, start with your daily habits.
How would this look if it were easy?
Pick one or two most important goals. The main problem with New Year’s resolutions is taking on too many things. You’re not going to overhaul your entire life at once. Ever. It’s not possible.
What’s most important to you that wasn’t working in 2021? Single out that goal and give it all your focus.
Start to identify your habits…good and bad. Keep a closer eye on yourself and write down the things you mindlessly do on a daily basis.
Not all of them are bad. I mindlessly brush my teeth first thing every morning. The point here is to be aware of the dozens of other habits you don’t think about. Then you can weed out the actions that are contrary to your main goal.
Make good behaviors easier (and bad behaviors harder). Want to hit the gym more often? Keep a packed gym bag by the door with your shoes ready to go. This will eliminate some of the friction between you and actually getting to the gym.
Want to stop eating snacks or drinking wine after work? Remove these things from your house entirely. The key to willpower is never having to use it. When you eliminate temptation, it’s easier to stay the course.
Don’t be afraid to hire a coach. Whether you’re trying to overhaul your closet or your entire body, it helps to have outside expertise.
Most of our daily habits are so ingrained that we don’t see their impact. The small cookie you mindlessly eat with your afternoon coffee seems like nothing until your pants don’t fit.
It feels like we “should” be able to do it all on our own, but if something didn’t work the last few times you tried, it might be time to enlist outside help.
So far, 2022 is looking like a crapshoot. Will it be hot girl summer or hot sweaty facemask? Who the hell knows. But one thing is certain: you can control your actions day to day. And when you add them all up, you’ll start to accomplish your most important resolutions.
