With the new year, most people set new goals and objectives, at first with enthusiasm, you get going, but in the vast majority of cases, your enthusiasm goes halfway and you leave, having lasted a couple months at most. And as we say in the new year, it can be applied to any other time or situation. Is that your case?
Many readers have written to me saying that they give up easily, that they would like to be more persevering and not leave things halfway. I am fortunate to be a persevering person, when something gets into my head I do not stop until I get it, but it is also true that there are things that I seem unable to carry out, that I start and then I leave. What is the difference? I think therein lies the solution, why some yes and others no? What makes me perseverant and get everything I want? How can you do it?
The answer is in the same question, I get everything I want because I want it. Because it has got into my head and I have decided that I want it at all costs and I do whatever it takes to get it. That is the difference between the things that I finish and that I get and those that I don't. And it's probably what happens to you too. Stop for a moment to think about all the things that you have achieved, the ones that you have proposed and finished. If you have been able once, you will be able all the ones that you want, but you have to want.
That is not easy, of course (otherwise I would be pure muscle right now, instead of telling me that I would have to do some exercise…: D), but you can take something into account to improve the chances of achieving your goals and in order to improve perseverance:
- Set SMART purposes or objectives: specific, realistic, with a deadline and that you can measure, that you know when you have achieved it. The example I have given you before, "let's see if I exercise more this year" is exactly what you don't have to do. Alternative: "this year I am going to do 30 minutes of yoga 3 days a week".
- Divide your purpose into micro steps that are easier for you to do, especially the first ones that are the most difficult. Continuing with the same example, I could start by deciding what days I am going to do it and if in a gym or at home, and looking for DVDs or videos to have everything ready.
-Make time and reserve the time. Fundamental, make it a priority and reserve the time you need. For example, I have dance classes on Thursday afternoons, I love it, it suits me and I don't change it. Therefore, every Thursday afternoon I have them busy, I don't question it. Have I made any exceptions? Yes, of course, but few.
- Find the motivation. Although starting a project and carrying it out generates a lot of motivation in itself, it is also important that you have clear things that motivate you so that you can apply them to your goal. Start with having an important reason to carry out the purpose, a reason that in itself motivates you to continue.
-Celebrate each result no matter how small it occurs. Something so simple and surely you don't (and sometimes I don't, to be realistic), celebrate how hard you are working and the results you get when you have them. Don't put it off because you won't, and celebrating is important in life, it's like patting yourself on the back and it helps keep you motivated.
-Keep in mind that what you feel has a direct impact on what you can do, so it is important that you take charge of feeling good, because then you will have more encouragement and motivation to keep going. Surround yourself with people who encourage you and read or listen to material that inspires you. As Zig Ziglar said very well “People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing-that's why we recommend it daily ”
I want to end with a reflection of Tony Robbins, as you know an internationally recognized coach who says that believing in yourself leads to having potential, potential leads to action, action leads to results and results lead to believing in yourself. The complete cycle begins with believing in yourself.
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF -> POTENTIAL-> ACTION-> RESULTS–> BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
Keep that in mind.
