With all the goal setting exercises, planning and strategizing you’ve done since the start of the year, there’s one tool in your arsenal that shouldn’t be overlooked. It’s the tool to beat all tools. Seriously, it’s the mac daddy of tools and we all have it! It is your mindset. Your mindset, or your way of thinking, will have a significant impact on how successful you are. To be successful with your goal, you first have to believe you can achieve it.
If you say you can or you can’t, you are right either way. ~Henry Ford
To reach your goals you must first believe that they are attainable. You would think that’s kind of a no-brainer,right. However, if you are wavering back-and-forth on whether it’s possible you’ve already opened up the door to self-doubt. During the goal setting process, you evaluated your goals and determined them to be realistic. Don’t waiver on your conviction. Stay committed and follow through.
Ever notice how one small negative thought leads to another and before you know it, it’s grown into some big hairy thing? Negative thoughts can suck the energy out of you and can even result in physical ailments. That’s right, your mind can make you sick!
When we’re rushing about, day to day, we may not stop to think of all the different thoughts that are running through our heads. How we think as we move about our day has an impact on everything from our bodies, to our relationships, to our goals, to our lives. These thoughts, whether positive or negative, have a tremendous influence on our behavior. Your mind will either work for you or against you in your effort to reach your goals.
In order to turn negative thoughts around you need to first become more aware of them. Try this exercise. Make a list of thoughts that run through your mind over a few days. Don’t censor them, just let them flow. Now, review your notes to see if you find any negative thought patterns. If you do, focus on these and begin to challenge them. Are they legit or are they based in fear? Are you being overly critical of yourself or the situation? Is your thought reasonable? Our thoughts are shaped by our perception of situations. Does your perception reflect reality?
Thoughts become things…choose the good ones! ~Mike Dooley
Now, let’s flip the script on negative self talk, the way you communicate with yourself, with positive self talk. For example, replace a negative thought such as “It will take forever for me to reach my goal.” with “I’m making progress.” Or “I just don’t have enough time to work out.” with “I am in control. Working out is good for my body.” And, one that seems to slip in far too easily, “I am fat.” Try out “I’m beautiful, inside and out.” and see how that makes you feel.
As much as possible, maintain a positive attitude. You committed to your goals, don’t let self-doubt creep in. Believe in yourself and your abilities. If you struggle with being positive, make an extra effort to identify negative thoughts and turn them around with positive self talk.
Your hard work can be undone simply for failing to believe fully in yourself and your abilities or with negative thinking. Stay positive and keep moving forward. Be grateful, each day, for where you are, acknowledge how far you’ve come and look forward to where you’re going.
Photo credit: Jennifer, Stuart Miles, jesadaphorn
Mom, wife, technologist, certified fitness trainer and nutritional coach. Encouraging women to put their health first. Change starts with self love and acceptance. Once mastered, there's no limit as to where you can go. Treat your body well with sound nutrition combined with an effective training plan to achieve a healthy body composition. We all want to look good in our jeans, but not at the sacrifice of our health. Precision Nutrition Certified Coach
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