Now that the buzz of our New Year's resolutions has well and truly worn off, I am curious to discover who has fallen victim to self sabotage? Who out there decided to quit smoking, to lose weight, to get fit or even start doing more exciting things with your life? Were you all pumped for a brilliant and exciting new you for the first few weeks and now seem to be putting the brake on your progress for reasons unbeknown to you?
Are you now perhaps starting to feel like your slipping and the momentum that sparked this changed is lacking and old habits are returning and sometimes with a vengeance? Rest assured, there is a very good reason for your self sabotage.
When you decided to make this change what were your reasons? Were you motivated or inspired? Think about that for just a moment. Motivation or inspiration? For many people this may very well be the same thing, or so it seems.
Motivation is external to us. It comes in the form of a number on a scale, the price of a packet or a bottle, it could even be the way you look or the way you feel someone else judges you. For whatever reason, most people decide to change due to external circumstances, they are motivated and have lots of will power- initially.
You see, the problem with will power is our imaginations will always win over it. The possibility of going for that run and what that means for your health and vitality soon enough will be won over by the idea of an extra hours sleep in the morning or that great TV program. Our will power can be strong and will serve us pretty well, but only ever in the short term. Once the "pain" point has left then the will leaves too.
Has anyone ever looked in the mirror and thought "woah, better go on a diet or get exercising"? Then perhaps you join a gym or go on some new diet that "guarantee's results". Sure enough, you lose that weight, you are getting healthy and you reach that goal weight, then all of sudden the will has gone. The unhealthy foods start creeping back in and the gym visits become less frequent, because " you have worked so hard, you deserve a break" Right?
Sound familiar? This is what most people do, without even knowing it, they are looking for a short term solution to a long term problem. What we need to do to create long lasting change is to get inspired.
Go back to a time in your life where you were in a really good space and life was going really well for you. If you can't remember, then imagine that space. Where you looked after yourself and your relationships were good, where you were going for the things you want in life and feeling great. What a place huh?
This happens when we are inspired, when we know exactly why we are doing what we are doing and it comes from within.
So take sometime today and ask yourself WHY? Find out what it is that is truly inspiring you to want to create a better life for yourself. This is inspiration, it comes from within and will power and motivation don't even come into the game when you are clear on why you are doing it.
Have a great week everyone!
Katie :)
