My totally inconsistent 5-step process for effortless consistency
It's the second week of February … how are you doing with those New Year's dreams?
Making lots of progress or trying to forget you made any promises in the first place?
Not calling you out here. This is for my benefit as much as it is for yours. There is strength in numbers (or something like that) and being in this together feels a lot more fun.
I have this little trick I've been using for a few years now and I thought it could be helpful here. This one is for my rebels. You know, those of you who hate doing something just because you should or someone told you to.
Rebel Yell
I even found a book that totally speaks to this personality trait of mine. Gretchen Rubin wrote this sensational book called The Four Tendencies. It's about how we respond to expectations in life, either from others or ourselves.
The book places you into one of four categories: Upholders, Questioners, Obligers, and Rebels. These tendencies shape how you behave when it comes to decisions, deadlines, stress, and dream chasing.
It's really a fascinating read and if you love personality tests, you will love it.
Ok, back to my point. Whether or not you see yourself as a rebel, I think this little trick can really help if you're having trouble keeping promises to yourself. It has allowed me to have freedom while also accomplishing exactly what I set out to.
Let's use an example that easy to understand for most of us, like exercising.
So, you want to move your body more because you are sick and tired of hearing yourself say this is the year you'll have a body you are proud of (been there more times than I can count). Here are the steps:
Step 1
Write down the general specific guidelines for this dream. An example is:
I will work out…
- Four days a week
- For at least 30 minutes total
- 2 days of cardio and 2 days of strength training, yoga, etc.
Step 2
Write down the multiple ways in which you can do cardio, strength training, yoga, etc. Get creative and make sure these are things you like doing.
Step 3
Edit all the different ways you came up with to 3 ideas for each category.
Example:
Cardio:
30 minutes of interval running on treadmill
30 minute walk/run outside
30 minutes of dance cardio video from Youtube.
Step 4
Write down each of the approved exercises and everything you need to get ready to do them at a moment's notice ( i.e., early in the am when the last thing you want to do is work out and the slightest hiccup will derail you).
So download the videos or save to your favorites on Youtube. Get the running shoes out. Buy a better supportive sports bra. All of it.
Step 5
Write down all of the approved exercises on a card, in your phone, or on a sticky note and post it to your bathroom mirror. Put it someplace you can see them easily and access them quickly.
Now when you wake up and your rebel wants to not do what you said you were going to do, you can easily find something else that will keep you on track. This allows your rebel side to be feed while still keeping a promise to yourself. It feels like freedom, trust me.
I know sometimes we hear about little mindset shifts people use and they sound crazy or like they won't work but don't knock it till you tried it.
I get a rush from blowing off my workout routine and a confidence boost by sticking to my dreams. It's like a jedi mind trick for accomplishing anything and all it takes is a little preparation.
This can work for starting a business, writing a book, cultivating a meditation practice, curbing a drinking habit, etc.
If you try it, please let me know what you used it for and what happened. I haven't shared this with anyone before and I'm so curious if I'm the only one this works on.
P.S. Seriously, let me know if I'm not alone, haha.
All the love,
jodi x
P.P.S. Looking for actionable practices you can use to help make these mindset shifts stick? In the next blog, I talk about my favorite self-care practices (woo-woo 101) when it comes to not feeling lovable. Stay tuned!
Also grab my FREE meditation guide below if you're ready to upgrade your morning routine.
