Each New Year, many people make resolutions to create a healthier life. Unfortunately, many times our enthusiasm to make the decision does not seem to carry through to action. Statistics show that by February 1st 25% of our goals have been abandoned, by March 1st 63% have gone by the wayside, and by year’s end 88% of those resolutions are nothing more than a memory!
So when the “spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak,” what can we do to improve the odds that our behavior will match our intentions?
Making changes in life—big or small—is lots easier when you have a plan. Plans are the road map for change—the better you make them, the more likely you are to reach your destination.
In the six-week “Living Healthy” Program offered through the NNORC starting mid-January 2013, we practice a technique designed to increase the likelihood we’ll be successful at carrying through on our good intentions. Learning to make an Action Plan is a linchpin of the program and an invaluable life skill.
Let’s just say that a goal would be to get more exercise. Pretty common aim. Good…but….what does “getting more exercise” look like exactly? For someone who’s already fit, “more exercise” might be being able to run a marathon. For a person who is sedentary, or has physical limitations, “more exercise” might translate to being able to walk a flight of stairs without getting out of breath.
See where I’m going with this? It’s all about being realistic, choosing something you really want to do, and might actually be able to do. What we aim for needs to be clearly stated in action words, to be measurable, and achievable.
With this in mind, the goal to exercise more should be reworded to: “I will walk four times this week, for 20 minutes each time, right after dinner on Saturday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.”
- My plan is worded in positive terms: “I will.” as opposed to “I’ll try.”
- It’s action-specific: I’m going to walk.
It answers the questions: What? -”Walk,” How much? -”for 20 minutes,” When? – “after dinner on Saturday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday,” and How often? – “four times this week.”
One final important step remains.
Since success breeds success, it’s important that I’m able to carry through on my plan. To do that I ask myself a final question: “How confident am I that I can complete this plan?” My answer is a self-rating of that confidence on a scale of 0 (no confidence) to 10 (total confidence).
If my rating is a 10, perhaps the plan is too easy. If I’m only rating a seven or less perhaps I’m aware of barriers that will block my way. I may want to step back, reconsider, and rework my plan.
Take a few minutes to make an action-plan for yourself this week. Remember, Holistic Health means more than eating right, and getting enough exercise and rest. Think of all the things that might enhance your life: making time to spend with good friends, finding ways to express your creativity, or even exploring ways to make your work life more rewarding. Your life is yours to shape. As the guru of motivation has said:
“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.” – Tony Robbins
Want to learn more about the “Living Healthy” Program, or sign up to take the program through the NNORC? Call Judi England, Senior Health Education Coordinator or Pat Gumson, NNORC Nurse at 514-2023.