New Year’s Resolutions Can Become Reality
Each of us is on a unique journey, some more deliberately. Capitalizing upon our natural gifts starts with a vision and then a strategy for closing the gap between where we are and what we desire to do.
Permit me to share my New Year’s resolution to close my fitness gap with the components that may help you. I am blessed to have played football at the University of Michigan and professionally, and I’ve remained active, enjoying water skiing, windsurfing, mountain biking, downhill skiing, and more. Now, this 74-year-old body needs extra attention for me to realize my vision to do more.
Have a Compelling Vision
Whether choosing for your business, family, home, or life, see if there is a compelling vision you desire. As I shared in the book The Shift from Me to Team, my vision for a long, healthy, vibrant life of contribution is to be able to teach not only our twelve grandchildren but our great-grandchildren how to ski. The first half of that vision has been accomplished. The rest of this vision—to be there for my great-grandchildren—is motivating, as it meshes my love for family, teaching, and the out-of-doors.
What compelling vision will motivate you to live more purposefully?
The Goal
I have long wanted to dedicate sixty minutes daily to my physical health, but I have yet to do so. Now that we don’t have to take the children to hockey at 6:00 a.m., that is my New Year’s resolution.
Patience
Because I haven’t been consistent in daily physical exercise, working out will require patience until it becomes a habit. I must be careful not to get down on myself if I miss a day.
Systematize
I am scheduling an hour a day for workouts on my Google calendar. I enjoy working out first thing in the morning; a session may be moved but not deleted. To ease the process, I have the clothes set out the night before.
In addition, I have thirty-minute workouts with a trainer scheduled twice a week. Interestingly, I always attend these appointments!
Subconscious Preparation
The subconscious plays a decisive role in our daily activities. We have found that taking a few moments each evening to think about what we want to accomplish first thing the next day prepares our subconscious. Our subconscious gets us in the zone, so momentum is built for achievement when morning comes. Envisioning the clothes I will wear and what exercise I will do first creates a natural flow to working out the next day.
Preparing for Obstacles
Most people need to travel, and it can throw them out of their rhythm. Knowing this, I travel with my workout ropes and stretching bands in a small bag in case no other workout options are available.
Reinforcing Rewards
Rewards may be the greatest reinforcing mechanism for progress and achievement. However, rewarding oneself without external help is difficult. How do we reward ourselves?
The power of a gratitude journal goes beyond understanding. My reward system involves recording my gratitude for what my health permits me to do. Ultimately, isn’t it we ourselves that we’re accountable for and that we should feel good about?
Our lives are an ever-evolving journey to honor what we were put on this earth to accomplish. It starts with a compelling vision that motivates us to live more purposefully daily.
At FS/A, we desire to help you live the meaningful life you desire. Our rewards come from the joy we see in the fulfilled life that results for you. We hope this helps you on your journey.
Best wishes for a joyous Holiday Season, and a 2025 filled with continued learning and growing.