Raele Altano Well here we are….another year completed as we stand on the brink of a new one. I won’t even get into how fast time is flying. I feel I sound so damn old when I say that over and over again LOL! A new year brings new potential (yes, even in these strange and somewhat scary times) and it goes without saying that having some kind of vision for the new year is important. Whether you call them goals or resolutions is up to you, but having an idea of what you want your year to look like and taking actionable steps towards that idea is so transformative. Check out this article by Madhuleena Roy Chowdhury, Psychiatric Counselor, for more about the science & psychology of goal-setting and various ways to set goals successfully.
Obviously there are many articles and tips online about how to set goals & resolutions. But what about the best ways to keep them? What are some helpful concepts to keep in mind? Are there any encouraging words that’ll make those goals really stick? That’s what I want to offer you, my followers and blog readers, as we enter 2022. Following through with your resolutions is just as important (if not more?!) as making them in the first place. So here are 5 mantras to remember as your make your resolutions for the new year. Whenever you feel your motivation wavering or your self-doubt taking over, I want you to pick at least 3 of these that reallllyyy resonate and keep them at the forefront of your mind.
Consistency will get you further than perfection ever will.
Coming from a former perfectionist, this one hits HOME. I used to be obsessed with doing things “right” & going through the right motions. Unfortunately, none of that matters as much as actually putting your nose down, doing the work, and sticking to the script. Think about working out. What’s more valuable in the long run, showing up 4x a week and having an okay workout, or having a perfect workout with the best form but only showing up 1x a week? I think you already know the answer. Remember why you started. Stay consistent. Let go of the idea of perfection because it doesn’t exist anyway. You’re going to screw up somewhere along the way. It’s part of the process. Keep going.
The more you keep the promises you make to yourself, the more confidence and trust you will build within yourself.
If you tell yourself you’re going to do something, do it. That’s it. Do it. Keep that promise as if the commitment you’ve made isn’t to yourself, but to a boss, teacher, or another authority figure. As you see yourself check off what you said you’d do, pay attention to how you feel. Your inner voice will say “wow, I really did do it” and the trust within yourself will grow. Eventually, you won’t need to picture yourself promising something to an external authority figure, because YOU are that figure. Feel me?
Don’t expect to be motivated every day. Plan to be disciplined every day instead.
I hate to break it to you, but motivation is actually pretty overrated. Sure, it’s nice to think that you’re going to wake up every day feeling inspired by some deep quote that you see somewhere and feel ready to tackle your goals/resolutions. But it’s not the reality. This is why gyms are packed on January 1st but back to their usual capacity by the end of the month. Research shows that motivation is dictated by mood & emotion, which is supported by the limbic system within our brains. It’s unpredictable and unreliable. Discipline, however, is dictated by logic, which is supported by the prefrontal cortex of our brains. This part of the brain is vastly more developed in humans than it is in other mammals and is far more reliable. So focus on setting a plan, establishing a routine and building discipline to achieve your goals and resolutions. Don’t just assume you’re going to be motivated every day and that will be enough.
You’re capable of more than you think. Get out of your own way.
Literally though!! I want you to tell yourself this every time you want to give up on a resolution or goal for 2022. You are capable of so much. More than half the time we are the ones limiting ourselves. We’re the ones overthinking things. We’re the ones doubting ourselves and hoping that someone else will cheer us on. WTF?! What kind of backwards mentality is that? Cheer yourself on. Keep it simple. Take a pause and step away to see the bigger picture, if you have to. But do yourself a favor and stop selling yourself short. YES you freakin’ can.
Visualize your end goal as inspiration to keep you moving forward.
Hear me out on this one. I firmly believe that you have to take bigger goals and break them down into smaller, more actionable steps. Big goals/visions can be overwhelming as hell and incredibly paralyzing. BUT – with that said – sometimes you need to remember why you started and really visualize that sh*t. Want to lose 20 pounds? Visualize what that looks like. What to launch your business in 2022 and have loyal clients? Visualize how that will feel. Create a vision board on a poster or on your phone, if that’s helpful. When you’re feeling like you want to quit, refer back to that bigger picture. You saw this vision for a reason. You made this resolution for a reason. Remember why you started and keep going!
There you have it, friends. Make those resolutions if you haven’t already, and set yourself up for success in 2022. Remember these 5 mantras as you make them and refer back to them when you need a boost. I’m a coach and love inspiring you (click here if you’re interested in learning more about my services & January promo!) but I can’t do the work for you. No one can. All of your transformation can only come from you. Wishing you success, health, and fierce confidence for 2022 and beyond.
Have a Safe & Happy New Year!
