Make it simple – reach your goals faster
Lots of us have new habits we’d like to introduce. We start out very optimistic, but normally end up in the same old ruts. Sound familiar? An important factor that many of us forget is that humans are genetically optimised for periods when they needed to save energy. When we lived in the savannah, food was scarce and life could be very physically demanding. The lives our ancestors lived are a world away from the reality the most of us live today. At the same time, this is one of the reasons that we become complacent. Consequently, the best way is to lower the threshold and make very simple changes so that they’re not as difficult to achieve. The best way to succeed in the changes you want to implement is to take small steps. So set yourself intermediate goals, be realistic, focus on one thing at a time and set your mind to making a change. The easier you make it for yourself, the greater your chances of success. By putting the “all or nothing” mentality aside, it becomes easier to get started with new changes that you can then build on.
Some simple ways to make a start:
Take a walk on your break: leave a pair of jogging shoes at work so you can change shoes quickly. Although we often think we don’t have time, as little as ten minutes of movement and daylight create positive biological effects in the body that give us a lust for more.
Take a walk, run or bike ride - keep your clothes somewhere easily accessible e.g. in the bathroom if it’s a morning walk. Once you’ve changed, it usually isn’t as difficult to get going. Plan specific times in the calendar and start with shorter outings that are easier to keep up with. A twenty-minute walk is far better than nothing at all.
Do you want to eat more fruit and veg? Put what you want to eat more of in more easily accessible places, e.g. a fruit platter with nuts. In the same way, you can “hide” food you only want to eat on special occasions. You notice this psychology in use in shops, as they put the products we’re easily tempted by right at the checkouts.
Optimal sleep - setting time aside to unwind in the evening is one of the most important pieces of advice for better sleep, but it’s something that can easily be forgotten. Try setting an alarm 30 minutes before you want to go to bed, for example, to give yourself time to unwind.
Spend less time on your emails and social media by turning off notifications and putting the phone away in another room to reduce the risk of you taking a quick look, which is often longer than you thought. Our digital dependence is obvious to many of us and you need to be very strict with yourself here. Choose the times you want to be active.
Don’t start the day by scrolling on your phone when you wake up in the morning! By switching to a regular alarm clock and not having your phone in your bedroom, you avoid the risk of checking your phone as the first thing you do, which helps to create a calmer environment.
My advice:
Think about how you can lower the threshold to getting started with a new habit that’s important and means something to you. By focusing on small steps and making it easy for yourself, you lay the best foundations for succeeding with new goals.
