With the holidays over and a new year starting, it's a great time and a wonderful opportunity to stand back and ask yourself: "What can I change or do better in my life to improve my health?"
IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM
Perhaps you would like to quit smoking, drink more water, clean up your diet, overcome a health challenge, cleanse or exercise regularly. Whatever you want to accomplish, identify the problem as specifically as you can. Half of the solution to any problem is to define it.
BURN YOUR BRIDGES
Make a solid commitment to yourself to achieve your goals and do not turn back. If necessary, get rid of the things that allow you to give up easily. For example, if you are going to quit smoking, throw out all the ashtrays, matches and lighters.
Have you heard the story about the general who took his army by ship to conquer another country? After seeing the enemy, his soldiers thought they would lose the battle and wanted to return home. However, the general had ordered all their ships to be burned and told his army that there was no choice... They had to win!
BELIEVE IT'S POSSIBLE
In order to do something, you must believe you can succeed. Napoleon Hill, a great success philosopher, stated: "Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve." This quote has helped countless individuals achieve their goals.
Tell yourself you can do it! Do not allow "I can't" to be a part of your vocabulary, at all! It is very important to have positive thoughts. Do not entertain negative thoughts, whatsoever! You have not failed until you quit trying!
MEASURE AND CONTROL
Set a goal that is measurable, so that you know how you are doing. If you want to lose weight, for example, decide how many pounds you will lose in a certain amount of time, for example, 12 pounds in three months.
It must be a goal that you can control, not one that someone else controls. You can change your own behavior, not somebody else's.
MAKE A PLAN
You've heard the saying: Plan your work and work your plan. Write your goal down on paper, outlining exactly what you want to achieve. Include dates and numbers, if applicable. You will do much better with a definite plan and time frame.
Break down your overall goal into achievable steps. Take one step at a time. This is less overwhelming than trying to tackle a larger problem all at once.
PROGRAM IT IN
This step is all-important. Program the required activities into your daily life, so that you do not depend on willpower. Willpower comes and goes. Treat this like a business decision. For instance, if your goal is to exercise daily, set a specific time to exercise and keep your exercise appointments. You would not likely stand anybody else up, if that person is important to you. Do not stand yourself up. You are just as important! Show up for your own appointments! Set up your lifestyle to support your health goals. Do not leave any room in your life for failure.
KEEP TRACK
Keep a daily log of all your goal-oriented activities and results, so you can track your progress. As you accomplish more, you will become even more encouraged. This can create a positive momentum to spur you on!
TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES
Be accountable! Tell someone your goal, someone who can look over your shoulder and check up on you every day. If you do not do your part, it should cost you something. For instance, if you dare to skip your exercise for the day, there has to be a consequence. You need to decide what this consequence will be ahead of time, when you define your New Year's resolution. How serious a consequence this will be is up to you. Choose something that will motivate you to keep your commitment faithfully.
PLAN FOR SUCCESS
To summarize, identify your health goal very specifically, and determine to persevere. Pick a resolution that you can control and measure. Believe that it is possible to achieve. Write down your plan, breaking up the total goal into achievable steps. Then, rearrange your life, so that you will succeed, not having to depend on willpower. When willpower is sagging, the structure in your daily life must be able to carry you through.
Keep track of your progress and be accountable, suffering the pre-planned consequence if and when you decide to slack. Plan to win, prepare to win and expect to win!
In order to help you achieve your health goals, I am pleased to offer my New Year's health program, called "GOOD, BETTER, BEST - DAILY NUTRITION PROGRAMS FOR 2012 "!
Visit my website or call me for details. I wish you all the best with your New Year's program. And all the best in 2012!
Dr. Gail Smolinski, Doctor of Natural Medicine, has her Doctor of Naturopathy degree and is Board Certified in Traditional Naturopathy and in Nutritional Wellness.
You may contact her at 306-783-1261 on weekdays from 9 to 5 or visit her website at www.drgail.ca This column is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.
