We have all been there.

The calendar flips to a new year, and you engage in an overhaul of some sort.

Rid yourself of a vice because you are going to “eat healthy.”
Shell out money for a gym membership/exercise equipment/latest gadget because you are going to “get in shape.”
Skip the coffee shop and make your brew at home because you will “save money.” And the list goes on.

You are ready to change your life. Fed up by the lack of progress you have seen from the previous year. You force yourself into some sort of box that you won’t be able to stay in for long. Pressured by the clock striking midnight, you start this or stop that because you “should.”

Not to be a downer, but I say don’t fall for it, whatever you are overhauling will not last. Not because you don’t want it to/wish it would and not because you lack the willpower to make it happen. Making resolutions are simply “shoulds” in disguise.

They are often accompanied by unrealistic expectations, too many things to do, a lack of plan on how to pursue the end result, and the pressure of “should.” Your body will eventually resist whatever you’re trying to change or implement because it doesn’t feel safe.

If resolutions aren’t the answer, how do you actually change your life?

First, identify where in your life you are ready for a change. This Life Assessment can help.

Next, be sure you pick ONE change and nail these foundations of habit change for it BEFORE you move on to the next. Click on each foundation for more info.

Know your why for wanting this change.
What’s the real reason you want this? It helps to go deep here, often the surface reason is just the tip of the iceberg.
Identify your baseline or starting point.
If you want to train for a marathon but only “run” out to the mailbox, your starting point will be different than if you run 5 miles a day.
Take small conscious action.
Biting off more than we can chew is the kiss of death when it comes to making change. Starting crazy small can feel silly, but the point is to make it so easy you can’t fail. Also, instead of waiting until the end goal is reached, it’s vital to celebrate the small wins along the way. This rewards your body and brain for doing work and reinforces the action you are taking as safe.
Have self-awareness about your change.
Are you being honest with yourself about your efforts and results? Taking a pause to notice can help you go farther, faster.
Put accountability in place.
Your potential success rate skyrockets when you involve others who want to see you win.