I am determined, but I am also lost.
In the previous blog, we talked about creating habits, about how repeating small actions optimally leads us to our goal. Now, the key is defining those small actions.
In a world where we all claim to have the truth, where do we start? I would recommend you start by evaluating yourself and getting to know your various systems, at least in a simple way (if you're not sure how to do this, I recommend going to this other blog we have:
https://www.empawerfitness.com/post/en-un-mundo-lleno-de-likes-y-rankings-qué-calificación-te-pondr%C3%ADas)
But if you're not at the point of evaluating yourself, let's do a simpler exercise. First, let's define your goal. What do you want most? What drives your day? Better performance, aesthetics, health, winning a competition.
Once we have the goal in mind, let's do an exercise that I recently learned:
-Step one: Visualize yourself: What will that better version of you look like? How will it feel to win the competition? How will you look in that swimsuit next summer?
Now that you've visualized yourself, let's describe a little about the element that version of you prioritized to achieve your goal.
Example: Losing body fat required Eating Better.
And it is precisely at this point where everything sounds so simplistic that you will sarcastically say: "Really, are you telling me that to look better I have to eat better? I already know that, what I don't know is how."
And you know you're absolutely right, so stay calm and continue the exercise.
Since we have defined:
1. The goal: To look better
2. The necessary skill: Eat better.
Let's move on to the third point, defining the practice, that is, what eating better entails:
3. Practice: Eat slower, identify the elements on my plate, eat more protein, eat at appropriate times.
Okay, it seems like everything's starting to take shape, right? Now we move on to the final step of the exercise: we break these practices down into smaller, simpler actions that allow us to establish the habit. As we well know, it's all about the constant repetition of small actions, always keeping in mind their ease of execution.
4. 5-minute daily actions:
– Set an alarm for Saturday (or the day of your choice) to go to the market.
– Cook an extra portion that I can take to the office the next day and not be left hanging by the vending machine.
– Schedule mealtimes in my calendar, this way I can dedicate time to Chew. It's no longer a waste of time, since it's planned in my calendar and I've decided on it.
– Identify my protein. This activity takes minimal time and is a powerful way to reflect on what's most important to me on my plate.
Just like these previous actions, there are thousands of options, and each one can be adapted to your needs and lifestyle. Remember! Not everyone is at the same point, and not everyone needs the same things. This exercise can be developed with any action point you want to improve, from saving money to exercising more days a week.
As a final section of the blog and to give you a little more support in choosing the activities to do, you can use the following approach:
I hope this exercise has helped you visualize how simple it is to build a habit. In fact, you've built thousands of habits throughout your life, you just haven't taken the time to reflect on them yet. At the end of the day, good or not so good, we all have habits.
And if, despite exercising, you find yourself lost, seek help. Another important part of habit-building, which I haven't mentioned, is support. At the end of the day, we are never alone.
