Change Is Hard
Have you ever decided it’s time to start working out, so you plan to go from one workout a week (or maybe none) to seven? Or your eating habits have gotten a little sloppy so you decide to give up carbs, sugar, and alcohol all at the same time?
If so, I’m guessing one of two things happened: you either never got started, or you stayed super strict for a while before giving up and going back to your old habits.
But what if you decided to just focus on each moment? Commit to working out today, and decide again about tomorrow?
Or if you just decided not to eat cake right now, instead of agreeing to never ever eat cake again?
It might feel easier, right? It’s just one moment. One workout. One meal.
The same is true with Thoughtfully Fit. If you decided that you were never going to snap at anyone ever again, but then in a moment of frustration you did, you’d give up on Thoughtfully Fit forever. Then you’re already done! It’s over.
Focus on the Moments
But what about if you focus on little moments every day where you have the opportunity to make a different choice? If you can choose to be thoughtful in that moment, and leave all the other ones to be decided later, it feels easier.
And just as it’s easier to show up for a workout tomorrow after you realize how good today’s workout made you feel. (You might feel sore, too, sometimes progress is painful.) It’s easier to be more thoughtful tomorrow when you see the positive effects it has on you and the people around you, instead of having to go back and clean up the mess from snapping hastily.
Step by Step
It’s no coincidence that this sounds like some of what you’d hear in a 12-step program. In fact, Harvard Business Review wrote a whole article on how the principles of addiction programs can inform change management. Focusing on small goals makes them easier to achieve. And eventually, they build into big progress.
Build Your Core
The root of all of this in Thoughtfully Fit is the PAUSE. When a situation arises that doesn’t bring out your best, pause. Think about what choices you have. Then for that moment, see if you can choose the more thoughtful way forward.
Here are some questions you can ask yourself to stay in the moment:
- What’s happening now?
- How do I want to show up in this moment?
- What are my choices? What are their likely outcomes?
If you can use your core in little moments, it will get stronger. And you’ll find it a little easier to access thoughtfulness in more challenging situations.
No need to give up everything delicious and consign yourself to a life of broccoli and sparkling water, but maybe you don’t need that second glass of wine or another rest day.
Don’t try to change everything overnight; let the little moments start to make a big difference.
