It’s March already! As we’ve gotten busy with life and the festivities of Mardi Gras season, most of us have not been laser-focused on our goals; am I right?
When the year started, weren’t you trying to get to the gym more, eat cleaner, make it to that yoga class and get up for that morning run? Then there’s that project you left simmering on the back burner, and the “me time” you’d resolved to carve out for yourself.
Does that sound all too familiar as we’re staring down spring?
Can you imagine how much less guilt, stress and frustration you would feel if you could somehow just make yourself do the things you don’t want to do when you are actually supposed to do them? Just think how much happier and more effective you would be!
The good news is it’s not too late to reach your goals. You can get better about not putting things off if you use the right tools and strategize.
The biggest reason why we procrastinate is because we don’t “feel” like doing it. Most of the time, when we tell ourselves, “I just can’t get out of bed early,” or “I just can’t get myself to exercise,” what we really mean is that we can’t get ourselves to feel like doing those things.
The truth is, if not now, when? If you are putting something off because you don’t feel like it, remember: You don’t need to feel like it to do it. There is nothing stopping you.
Here are some tips to help you refocus on your health and wellness goals:
FIND SOMEONE TO KEEP YOU ACCOUNTABLE
I have an accountability buddy, the person who holds me accountable. We weigh in together virtually every week and send our weight to one another. We discuss gain or loss and why the scale moved. We celebrate our successes and encourage each other when we hit a tough spot.
OWN YOUR TIME, AND STOP PROCRASTINATING
Research confirms what we all know: The number-one reason people don’t accomplish certain objectives is a lack of planning and scheduling our time. So, own your time. Be passionate, deliberate and dedicated. Block time toward what you need to do, even if you don’t feel like it. Try to focus your afternoon or evening on cooking a healthy meal, preparing for tomorrow or some fun social time with family or friends.
TAP INTO TECHNOLOGY
High-tech tools can help simplify your life and give you the time you need to finish that project or get to the gym. Take advantage of smartphones, watches, apps and other tools that can help keep you on track.
FOCUS ON THE BIG PICTURE:
It is easy to lose sight of the big picture. But if we constantly get distracted and put things off that we don’t feel like doing, we become frustrated and stressed.
Ask yourself, “What goals do I need to focus my time on? What do I regret not achieving because I didn’t ‘feel’ like doing it? What are my priorities, and how can I utilize my time to accomplish them?” Just answering these questions should motivate you to tackle the tasks you’ve been putting off.
This month, I challenge you not to skip out on the things you don’t feel like doing. Take time now for your health and wellness, If not now, when? You have the power to decide and do!
Karol Brandt is an executive host with Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort, as well as co-author of the Amazon best-seller “The Struggle is Real: Finally Break the Dieting Cycle, Transform Your Mind and Body, and Evolve into The Person You Have Always Wanted to Be” and the “30-Day Evolve Challenge Journal.” Contact Brandt by email at karol.brandt@scarletpearlcasino.com, Facebook/The Struggle Is Real or Instagram at karolbrandtnola.
