Are you stuck in a rut?  Are you already feeling like the enthusiasm you had when you made that New Year’s Resolution is a distant memory?  Relax.  We have all been there.  Here are some tips to help you get re-focused and re-energized:
  • Choose an area to focus on.  While you may have many things you want to work on, start with identifying one main area.  Trying to change too many things at once can lead to feeling overwhelmed and set yourself up for failure.
  • Think about strengths you have and times in your life that you have been successful at this or another change. What worked?  What can you draw from those experiences?
  • Identify your specific goal. Make it a SMART goal:
    • Specific
    • Measurable
    • Attainable
    • Realistic
    • Timely
  • Write down your goal and post it someplace where you will see it everyday.
  • Visualize yourself having accomplished the goal. How do you feel?  Who is celebrating with you?
  • Identify the challenges or what might get in the way. This gives you the opportunity to prepare for what might come up and have a plan for dealing with it.
  • Write down your action steps.  What specific things do you need to do to get you from where you are to where you want to be? Make them small, manageable steps. Think about what you can do today or this week to move you towards your goal.
  • Focus on the process and not just the results.  Don’t get caught up in how long it is taking to reach your goal.  Be in the present moment and appreciate all you are doing each day.
  • Be accountable.  Tell others about your goal and have a buddy check-in with you on your progress. 
  • Join a support group of others working on similar goals to share ideas, challenges and victories.
  • Use post-it notes for reminders of your goal, positive self-talk statements, or words of wisdom and inspiration.  Read them aloud daily!
  • There is no such thing as failure – don’t beat yourself up.  Learn from each experience and use them as a chance to reevaluate your goal. Is it realistic or does it need to be modified?
  • Celebrate your successes and milestones!
 


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