When you are working on creating a change in your life, you are working on changing old habits and creating new ones. It’s very easy to sit and think about the changes you want in your life, but challenging to achieve and maintain them. This is because you have developed habits that need to be changed in order to be successful.
I have trained many clients in my life, and almost every client that I train knows what they have to do to reach their goal, but is unable to do so. Why is this?
Because they are not making the choice to consistently take the necessary actions to create habits that will produce long term success.
Our habits determine our actions. Understanding habits and the role they play in your life is important because they are responsible for choices you make throughout the day. The reason a person may not be losing weight is because they are unaware that they are in the habit of going to the kitchen and snack during commercial breaks. In many cases habits are something we are not aware of. We do them unconsciously. Becoming aware of your habits gives you the power to make the choice to create the change you want to see in your life. It’s hard to make a choice if you are not aware of choices you are making.
When you are creating changes in your life it’s important to be aware of your old habits and the new ones you need to create. Think about the change you want to make. (Lose weight, get in shape, have more energy) Now think of where you are right now and the change you want to create. (Lose 30 lbs, have more stamina, build muscle, have more energy) Now think about the past and the actions you have taken that are responsible for where you are currently at. (Eat fast food, watch TV every night, drinking too much,). Now ask yourself, what actions do I need to take to create the change I want to see in my life? The answers you come up with will be the actions you need to turn into habits. A habit is something you do and don’t have to think about. To create this habit, you need to consistently do the action, till you don’t have to think about it.
Creating habits does not happen overnight. It is something you have to do continuously for an extended period of time. How long does that take? Till it’s something you do and don’t have to think about. I have read many different things talking about how long it will take to create a habit…30 days, 60 days, 90 days. I think that these are great goals, but know in your mind it may take longer. If it’s a change that you really want to create, you will do the work and work hard to you achieve it.
“Nothing worthwhile comes easily. Work, continuous work and hard work, is the only way to accomplish results that last” Hamilton Holt
If you really want to create a change in your life, you are going to do what it takes to achieve it. If not, you have to ask yourself: Is this something I really want? We as human beings are capable of accomplishing almost anything we set our minds too. Just look around at all the amazing things we have created. This is why I know when a new personal training client comes to train with me in Santa Monica, they are capable of achieving and maintaining their goals and this is why I know you are capable of doing the same. Now I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes:
“I have brought myself, by long meditation, to the conviction that a human being with a settled purpose must accomplish it, and that nothing can resist a will which will stake even existence upon its fulfillment.” Benjamin Disraeli
Chris