Do You Ever Struggle to Finish What You Start?

It's crazy to think about everything we start and never finish — very few of us will complete everything we decide to do. And this is mind-blowing, "following through" is at the top of most people's list of things they want to improve. 

That's one of the reasons we end up with piles of self-help books and courses that never get completed. We start a diet, exercise program, try to meditate, make some progress, and then fall back on old behavior patterns. Because habits are like shortcuts, we don't have to think; we just do, and it's easy.

My brain is always overflowing with great ideas I want to bring to life; there are a zillion things I want to experience and accomplish. I, too, have courses never finished, books left unread, and commitments only partially completed. It happens to the best of us because life is busy and filled with distractions, and sometimes, we just want to do other stuff.

So, instead of focusing on what's undone, keep reading to get easy tips to put the odds in your favor and finish more of what you start.

Start with self-talk and what we believe to be true.

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Self-talk and the thoughts that go with them are a form of hypnosis. The more we think, say, and believe our thoughts, the more they become embedded in our character. 

Do you ever catch yourself thinking or saying:

"This is too hard."

"I am not ____enough/experienced, credentialed, smart, etc.

"I don't have what it takes."

One of the best examples is exercise. When you think to yourself - OMG, this is so hard; I can't do it, you are telling your subconscious to quit!

Instead focus on what you are doing and how freaking great you will feel when it's done. The power of a positive mindset can keep you going. High achievers understand this and harness their minds for a competitive edge, and so can you.

Our subconscious mind is like a sponge absorbing our words and thoughts. When we flip the negative to the positive, we cultivate greater confidence, train our brains with supportive language, feel better, and finish more things we start. Reframing is a powerful psychological technique anyone can use, and the best part is it works. 

So, consider every word you say after "I am" and put a positive spin on it:

"I am ready to do this."

"I can do hard things."

"I am up for this challenge."

The change of seasons is the perfect time to practice wellness follow-through. We all want to look and feel our best, especially when transitioning from warmer to cooler weather.

Here is your Action Plan.

1. Be clear about what you want to accomplish: Lose a few pounds, level up your fitness, reduce stress, improve sleep, become more productive, or whatever is important to you.
2. Reframe: Turn negative, self-talk positive telling yourself you can do it. Practice positivity because you are positive, and things are always working out for you.
3. Do NOT compare yourself to others: This can be hard, but comparisons are unhealthy. Do this for yourself and no one else. Own it and give yourself some love.
4. Accept minor failures: It’s ok if you experience a setback, skip a workout, have a crappy night's sleep, or overindulge in the wrong things. Reframe challenges as a positive opportunity instead of an excuse to quit.
5. Limit distractions: This can be hard but learning to say NO to someone else is a way of saying YES to yourself.
6. Focus on how you want to feel and stop thinking about what you want to achieve: It might sound counterintuitive but getting out of your head and into your feelings is one of the most potent tools for following through. 

Our health and wellness goals become more accessible when we start living in a positive can-do mindset. We make decisions that align with our goals because we see ourselves as people who do these things. It is no longer a struggle to finish what we start because we are excited to have the power to accomplish whatever we set out to do. 

Healthy Habits 101 is my gift to get your wellness goals on track this fall.