Aristotle

I have failed one of my New Years’ Resolutions!

Shock horror, who cares? And does it really matter?

 

Whether you set New Years’ Resolutions or think it’s just a waste of time some people, including myself find them useful. In fact each year I do a mini life audit to get clarity and sense of purpose for the next year.

This year I decided to start some form of physical activity after a long spell of inactivity and weight gain and decided on something quite gentle to begin with – Yoga. I know it works for many.

I was spurred on with a free online video programme for 20 minutes yoga for 21 days. 21 days is the habit sticking amount of time that is recommended to break a bad habit or create a new pattern of behaviour so that appealed to me.

Also 20 minutes a day was a small amount I thought I could fit into my busy life. So another tick!

So how did I only manage to do Day 1 and Day 2?

I failed and I failed quickly. Why?

Well this objective had some good elements…

  • 20 minutes daily so not time consuming
  • For beginners and starting from zero knowledge so novices like me could get started
  • Free so I had no worries about money
  • A structured plan for the 21 days with the knowledge of the magic of habit creating / busting 21 days
  • Each daily video being available for 5 days –so a sense of a urgency to complete
  • Professional instruction and videos
  • A Facebook group to mix with other participants and contact the Yogi

So why did I fail by day 2?

Especially since many on the programme are having great success?

  • First I wasn’t prepared. I didn’t have a mat and blocks for starters. And I hadn’t really thought about when I would commit the 20 minutes during the day. The videos being accessible based on morning time in New York and not morning time in Preston, Lancashire for example. So I was ready for action on Day 1 9am in Preston but the video wasn’t available until later.
  • Being bored quickly and impatient. Yoga is a slow and purposeful practice.
  • The need to do the moves correctly and my fear of not being able to, and being conscious of my lack of fitness.
  • No fun element – very serious.

So I failed not because of the beautiful and wonderful 21 day programme but because of myself and choosing the wrong New Years’ Resolution for me.

So what makes a habit change work?

Here are my 10 tips to making change stick

10 TIPS TO Making Habit Changes Stick

So I did bail out of my original goal and I did feel a bit of a failure. Thankfully I didn’t let this go to heart too long. I found Plan B….something different and much more me!

Dancing to pop music with The Fitness Marshall. Yay! I can do this. I can dance along to one tune for 5 minutes or many and have fun. Take a look at one of my favourite songs and routines.

The Fitness Marshall

 

At the moment just 1 or 2 tunes are enough for me, however I feel like I am achieving. I don’t know all the moves and sometimes I just do my own moves however I’m moving!

Time to Reflect: Have you wanted to change but failed and lost motivation or confidence? Spend some time considering why your objective, goal or New Years’ Resolution didn’t work. Now set yourself a new challenge for change using some of my tips. Let me know how you get on and if you need a motivational nudge I can coach you to success.

And here are some  Special Offers to Help You Make Habits STICK