Originally published December 23, 2019
It’s that time of year when you’ve eaten too much, drank too much, spent too much, said yes to things you didn’t want to do, and shoved clutter into a dump room to deal with later. You aren’t worried, though. All this will be fixed when the clock strikes 12:01 a.m. on January 1.
How will you achieve this? Using willpower, of course!
It doesn’t matter that 3 days of applying strict willpower is your record. The problem was that you didn’t want it enough. This year will be different: You really want it, so your willpower is supercharged! Plus, you’ve already purchased the _______ (specially designed and personalized planner, gym membership, self-help book, stack of brand new bins). You’ll succeed for sure.
Willpower is not the answer
I want you to succeed so I’m going to tell you the truth. Your method is wrong. Willpower alone cannot carry you from a very engrained bad habit to a healthy one. Even willpower + product will not fix it.
What happens when January 17 comes and your willpower is tapped out, your planner/gym shoes/self-help book/storage bins are gathering dust in the pile in the corner? How will you feel about you?
The problem with depending on willpower is that when you fail, you attribute it to your own flawed character. If only I could try harder. If only I was a stronger person like _____ who has it all together naturally. Maybe I’m so messed up that it’s impossible to change.
There’s a better way, friends.
To make lasting changes you need:
- Goals with clear and reasonable steps that can fit into your already busy life
- Designated days and times for the steps
- Someone who can help you brainstorm solutions when you hit the roadblocks
- To know why it’s so important to make the change
- Daily reminders that feed your motivation
- Consistent accountability that’s outside of yourself (cuz you tend to let yourself off the hook)
- Cheerleading for the small victories along the way.
You can set these components up yourself or you work with me to define a clear plan that doesn’t depend on willpower. Schedule a personal strategy session to customize your plan.
Stop depending on willpower. Make this the year one you feel good about.
