A goal without a plan is like a drunk college girl loose in target with your wallet and no list. Sure it might be fun and entertaining but, probably isn't going to get a whole lot accomplished.
Now that we’ve researched our own experience, identified all of our barriers, excuses, and things standing in our way, we can turn that self reflection into your biggest asset…A PLAN!
We can choose between 2 strategies to help navigate the barriers and reach our finish line…1. The Detour Strategy…or 2. The Sledgehammer strategy. Both are very useful, and both effective in getting us across the finish line safe and sound.
You know what doesn’t work? Doing things the same way with no strategy…coming up to the same barriers over and over again that halt your progress with no plan on how to tackle them.
Don’t make me say it again…Don't be a drunk college girl running around Target!
Ok, stepping down from the soap box…Let's dive in…
Method 1: Detour Strategy
This method gives you a strategy to side-step those barriers and carry on your merry way to success! Be sure to grab your self reflection sheet here because we are going to put it to use in this lesson!
- First, you're going to Hone in on one of the behaviors you’ve identified you’d like to change. Then Determine if it is a behavior you have attempted to change in the past.
- If so…Why wasn’t it successful? Dive into those barriers and weaknesses.
- If not…Based on your current pain points you’ve identified what might make you stumble down the road.
- Let’s dive into an example. Maybe the behavior I’m trying to change is my sedentary lifestyle.
- My previous pain point was that I was too tired & had a lack of motivation to make it to the gym after coming home from work. Trying the same approach is likely to yield the same result if no other changes have been made.
Brainstorm methods of detour so we don’t have to come up to this barrier. (This step is just a brainstorm! I don’t care if every solution you write down is perfect…but, it’s very easy to write something off and say “I can’t do that because!” Let’s practice coming up with solutions instead of problems!)
- Maybe I work out at a different time of day.
- Wake up and workout in the morning
- Squeak in a lunchtime jog or walk.
- Maybe I can change my workout environment. Was the pain point getting back out of the house after getting home from a long day?
- Maybe you look into some home workout solutions.
- Or maybe I avoid coming home after work at all! I pack a bag and head straight to the gym after work and side step the temptation of the cozy couch all together!
Brainstorm. Brainstorm. Brainstorm.
Rank your detours:
- Being the most likely to fit into your life, most likely to harness your strengths, and still make you feel accomplished…all the way down to the bottom. Those solutions may not fit into your life right now, but could serve as a nice alternative down the line. Try out your detours!
- We can plan and brainstorm until the cows come home…but nothing changes until we put it into ACTION!
- Start at the top of your list and try a detour!
- If it works fantastic! If it doesn’t…don't let it derail you! Just take a step back, and try a new path.
Method 2: Sledge Hammer Method
This method, while less eloquent, takes those barriers and weaknesses and addresses them head on!
- Hone in on one of the behaviors you’ve identified you’d like to change.
- Is it a behavior you have attempted to change in the past?
- If so…Why didn’t it stick?
- Dive into those barriers and weaknesses.
- If not…Based on your current pain points you’ve identified what might make you stumble down the road?
- Determine how you are going to work THROUGH that barrier or pain point? What is the root of the problem? What is really hanging you up?
- Brainstorm why this is the current pain point. AKA identify the root. (Let’s look at the same pain point – not having the motivation to workout after coming home from work).
- Am I too tired because I am not getting enough sleep?
- Am I lacking motivation because I am not enjoying exercising at the gym?
- Am I lacking the motivation because I hate working out alone?
- Brainstorm solutions to your root problems: Try a different kind of activity, go to bed 30 minutes or an hour earlier, remove phones from the bedroom, find a workout buddy, join a group fitness class etc.
- Rank your Roots.
- Being the most likely cause of the pain point and your ability to make a change to overcome that root cause.
- TRY OUT YOUR SOLUTIONS!
- Start at the top of your list, Set a predetermined amount of time and try a solution!
- If it works fantastic! If it doesn't…don't let it derail you! Just take a step back, breathe, and try a new solution.
