Many of us set new resolutions at the beginning of the year and are excited about it and promised to achieve the goals the we set.
However, when we look back at the end of the year, many of the ‘resolutions’ are never resolved. Why?
Because most resolutions that we list down are things that we have not achieved, or have difficulty in achieving them. And the main reason is probably the need for us to stretch ourselves out of our comfort zone to reach them.
Perhaps you have always wanted to start exercising in order to look slim and stay healthy. Perhaps you may want to wake up early every morning so that you will not be late for work. These are common resolutions that many of us will set, and yet find great difficulty in achieving them for a prolonged period.
To achieve them, it means that you have to break away from your normal routine or habit. You may want to look slim but dread going to the gym. You may want to wake up early but every time the alarm rings, you press the snooze button automatically. That is because your mind is already programmed to act or react within its comfort zone.
To achieve your new resolutions, you need to
1. Understand your comfort zone – know your preferences and understand what motivates them.
2. Stretch yourself and step out of the comfort zone, even if it is a small step – be willing to commit to change and take one step at a time. Do not attempt to change yourself immediately. Your body and mind will reject the change if it is too drastic.
3. When you have made progress, acknowledge your effort and continue to stretch some more.
4. Reward yourself when progress is significant.
Always stay focused on the outcome. This way, it can move you to step out of your comfort zone even if it is going to hurt. Be prepared to face obstructions. If everything seems to be going on too smoothly, you might still be in your comfort zone. Stay focused and stretch. It can be tiring at times, but always remind yourself of the reason why you want to set the goal in the first place.
I have always reminded myself that I have to stretch out of my comfort zone to achieve my goals and I know that the more I stretch, the closer I am to achieving them.
