Are you really going to do it?

Are You Really Going to Improve Yourself This Year?

Happy New Year from all of us at The Wellness Institute of Florida!

Historically ‘New Years’ have always been reminders of fresh starts and making traditional “New Year’s Resolutions.”  But how often do we REALLY carry out our resolutions long term? When has a New Year’s resolution actually changed your life in a positive way? Research has shown that about 50% of Americans make New Year’s resolutions and only about 8% end up achieving them, much like fad diets (which don’t work by the way)...  These numbers are not very encouraging are they?  So how can we become our best in 2019?

The Wellness Institute of Florida is grounded in a philosophy of lifelong wellness.  We want to suggest looking at 2019 a bit differently than past New Year’s. At Wellness, we believe that 2019 is an opportunity for an improved you.  We recognize that most of us desire change, but do we REALLY commit to change?  It is said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Real change requires action and includes both failures and victories.  Lifelong wellness means that we celebrate small achievements in the same way as substantial milestones. 

Having said that, here are a few suggestions for making 2019 THE year… make it the year of an improved you, here’s how: Lifelong wellness begins with discovering your “why.”  In short, you need to discover what motivates YOU (consider this your homework assignment #1).  It is understanding that everything we choose to do and invest our time in has meaning.  “Why” reveals your purpose that aligns with your individual values, strengths and passion.  Frederick Nietzsche, a German philosopher, once said, “He who has a why can endure any how.”  Discovering your “why” is the first step in making a lifelong wellness plan that will create an improved you in this New Year.  

Now that you have discovered your “why” you are ready to identify your SMART goals.  We use SMART goals because they are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-based.  You can write down or create a vision board of the individualized goals that you have for one or more major areas (physical, spiritual, emotional, relational and mental) of your life (you knew this was coming, homework assignment #2).  

Once you have your goals defined, find (in the words of Robert DeNiro) a “circle of trust” (homework assignment #3, phew!). This circle is for accountability, one to share your goals with.  It is important that your circle of trust will encourage you along your journey, give you honest feedback (you’ll need it) and keep you focused on your “why” question. Everyday ask yourself, “Is my thinking and behavior moving me closer to or further away from my goals?” Celebrate even the teensiest victories and use your disappointments or back-slides as opportunities for change. 

Remember the wise words of Winston Churchill, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal:  it is the courage to continue that counts.”

Don’t let 2019 pass you by without exploring your “why” and setting SMART goals that will lead you towards an improved YOU and lifelong wellness.  We plan on doing our homework, will you? At Wellness we believe in you; we trust that you WILL make 2019 your best year yet! Please email us with your successes, even the teeny tiny ones…

Good luck and God speed!