![Dedication: Adhering to the Strategy [Part 2]](https://totalhealthvibe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Dedication-Adhering-to-the-Strategy-Part-2.jpg)
Welcome back! In Part 1, we really dug into how we can start overcoming the barriers that have held us back and truly commit to our goals. In Part 2, we’ll keep this momentum going with more fantastic tips from some great experts.
It’s time to take this advice seriously and start making amazing changes in our lives. There’s no point in having this incredible knowledge without putting it into action, so start today!
**Tips from Julie Stiles, MA, CHC, Health Counselor, ThetaHealing® Practitioner:**
1. **Be public about your commitment:** Sharing your goals with a friend can significantly increase your chances of success. To improve your odds even more, write down your commitment, regularly check in with someone about your progress, or get a coach.
2. **Know your internal motivation:** Many people fail because they let their momentary feelings override their long-term goals. Remind yourself why you want to make the change, like wanting to feel confident and love your body, rather than just focusing on losing a specific amount of weight.
3. **Track small changes:** Focusing only on long-term goals can be discouraging. Instead, notice and celebrate the small improvements you make along the way. Even minor rewards can boost motivation.
4. **Make it easy and unavoidable:** If you’re changing your diet, remove any tempting, unhealthy foods from your surroundings, and let others know about your plan. For fitness goals, set a regular time to work out and consider meeting a friend to make it harder to back out.
**Advice from Jennifer Racioppi, Integrative Health Coach:**
The biggest challenge in making lasting changes often comes from what we call values conflicts. This happens when competing values deter someone from staying committed to their health desires because they value an alternative behavior pattern more.
To overcome this, it’s important to understand the value behind the old behavior and find ways to honor it without sabotaging your new goals. Here’s how:
1. **Have a strong vision of who you want to become.**
2. **Understand the values you will honor as you work toward this vision.**
3. **Recognize the values you’ve been honoring with your old behavior and figure out how to honor them in the future without hindering your progress.**
For example, someone might skip workouts to spend time with their kids after school. Here, the main value is family time, and the competing value is health. They need to find a way to balance both priorities.
**Insights from Jayde Lovell, Certified Neuroscientist:**
People often fail in their commitment to go to the gym because they weren’t born with strong discipline. Here are some tips to stay on track:
1. **Be completely committed:** If you’re not genuinely excited about your fitness goals, you’re likely to quit your gym routine quickly.
2. **Prepare in advance:** Reduce the need for willpower by planning ahead. Sleep in your workout clothes or arrange to meet a friend at the gym to make it easier to follow through.
3. **Write clear goals:** Instead of vague goals like “I want to be skinnier,” be specific: “I will lose 5 pounds by February 15th.” Specific goals are more likely to be achieved.
4. **Frame challenges positively:** Instead of thinking, “Oh no, I have to go to the gym after work,” reframe it as, “Awesome, I get to leave the office on time and get some fresh air.”
Now it’s your turn to take action. Grab a pen and paper, write down two changes you’d like to make, and start using these tips to achieve your goals. It’s time to test your willpower and finally get the results you want and deserve! The only thing holding you back is yourself.