Tackle your Resolutions like a Marathon Runner - Slow but steady

It is that time of the year again when we make big plans and resolutions for the next year. Though we start with full energy soon we find it dwindling and before the end of the first month we give up. This happens because most of us tackle our resolution like a 300m dash runner, who starts sprinting at max capacity when the whistle blows. As soon as it is the year changes on Jan 1, you put in all your physical and mental energy in working on the goals you have set but gradually you find yourself unable to maintain the enthusiasm or energy levels to continue for the rest of the month.

Why not approach our resolutions a bit differently this year? Let's approach it like a marathon runner. Start slowly, gradually accelerating till we go for a grand finish.

First of all, a marathon runner will start gearing up weeks before the actual event, preparing his body for the long tedious run. At the race, he will not rush forward with full gusto but will start slowly and run relaxedly, the first third of the distance to conserve the energy needed to sprint in the latter part of the competition as they barrel towards the finish line. If the runner had started sprinting from the start line, he would have used up all his energy before he reached the half marathon mark making his body incapable of facing the next part of the ordeal.

Persist with smaller goals

We should also apply this same attitude to our resolutions. What we actually want is persistence rather than immediate results. If you are trying to form a new habit then break it into smaller achievable goals that may not immediately push your limit but gradually raises it to your goal.

If you intend to exercise for a half-hour every day, instead of starting with a half-hour strenuous work out from the very first day, slowly build up till we are able to reach that potential. Everyone has a different starting point, some are already physically active and few are trying to start in the new year. Choose your first goal according to your strengths. If you do not exercise quite often and planning to start now then let your goal for the first few days be just a 10 min walk or some simple exercises. It might seem small and easily achievable, but in this phase aim for consistency. If you are able to do more than the set goal then great but at least meet the set goal every day for some time. No matter how busy your schedule is you can definitely give yourself 10 minutes for this activity.  This means your success rate is high, mentally you are tasting success and so your mind is in the positive state and pumped for the next day.

Following this, slowly increase the time or the difficulty of the activity and continue performing it for a few more days or weeks. Before you change the level of your goal. Doing this, you will find that in a few months you have not only achieved the goal you set for yourself but may have surpassed it as well.

Remember the Purpose

There is always a reason why we take the resolutions - discipline, health, good habit, peace of mind or something else. What actually needs to change is your attitude toward your goals. Instead of making it just an activity to tick off, remind yourself of what you want to achieve by doing it. Keep your eye on the "purpose". Whatever your reason is for starting, remind yourself every morning or before the activity why you took up this project. This will act like a booster that motivates you to perform the activity consistently.

Learn the art of picking yourself after a fall. Some unavoidable circumstances could cause a break in our chain. Do not extend this break till the end of the year before you restart the activity. Dust yourself and restart then and there. There no better moment to work on your dream than "NOW". Keep reminding yourself of the purpose and do not hesitate to modify a goal a bit till you get into the mindset of success again. 

Also, the worst thing you can do is pile on. if you skipped the activity today, then do not think you will double the time the next day, a bigger goal would only demotivate you. Just mark a cross on the calendar and aim to complete tomorrow's goal only. If you are able to overachieve then it is a bonus but it should not be mandatory. This will have a lot of green ticks on your goal chart and keep you pushing forward with a successful mindset.

In short, be like the tortoise who was moving slowly but steadily towards the goal and not like the hare who rushed into the race but his nap cost him his victory.

I hope all of you keep your resolutions this year and make 2020 a changing point of your life!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!