It’s the start of another year, and inevitably that has us thinking about what we want to accomplish during the months ahead. Despite their statistical lack of success, I am a big proponent of new year resolutions. Perhaps that’s because the single biggest change in my life was achieved through one.
Back in 2006, I was tired, overweight, and burned out. I did not feel good physically or mentally. I was fed up with myself and decided it was time to get active and lose weight.
In the beginning, I committed to simply go to the gym every day. I used a little notebook and each day I wrote the date and a “yes” if I made it to the gym and a “no” if I did not.
I began this goal on Jan. 1, 2006. For three months I did not miss one day at the gym. Once I had many days of “yes” written in my notebook, I really didn’t want to have to write “no.” I was proud of my effort and I felt good.
That one habit snowballed. I kept going to the gym. During the next few years, I also quit smoking, changed my eating habits, gave up alcohol, became a group exercise instructor and then a Personal Trainer, started my own fitness business and eventually opened my own Personal Training studio.
All of that started because I committed to going to the gym every day, held myself accountable and kept track of my efforts.
My story, however, is the exception. Most people fail at keeping New Year’s resolutions. I also have set many since that 2006 goal, and failed at most.
But my journey is proof you can succeed at changing your life with one resolution, if you avoid some common pitfalls.
The biggest mistake many people make when trying to change is attempting too big of a change too quickly…
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