Have you given thought to how much you can do with an entire year to bring more joy and fulfillment to yourself? Beginnings have so much promise for achievements and fresh adventures. We can be a better person, live our days to the fullest, and make some life changes. I get excited just thinking about the possibilities. 

But are you looking at the same list of goals as last year, knowing your resolve will last only a few days, weeks, or perhaps a month? You have all these good intentions, but life just seems to get in the way. You get hurried, distracted, and the one thing you want to achieve becomes too hard to manage. Sound familiar? 

What can you do to change this pattern you keep creating? The first step is to find the trigger that makes you want to change habits. We all have triggers that make us stop and be accountable to ourselves. That is when the actual change can begin. What is it you want to accomplish? Find what is deep within that will compel you to start down a path of change. Are you passionate about the process and the results it will give you? 

There is a difference between thinking you want something and feeling a passion about what it will bring you. Think about how you feel when you have done something for accomplishment or achievement. It comes from deep inside and you will push to reach the desired goal. The best part is the glorious feeling you have as you get closer to achieving your aim. 

Think about times in your life you wanted to do something and had to work hard to achieve it. Now think about the feeling you had with each step of accomplishment. It was hard to do, but the reward is something you can’t describe to another person. This feeling is personal and comes from a deep place within you. It is a connection to your inner self, and that is where the real self-work begins. 

Here are two directions to think about as you map out a plan and reach for what you have wanted and dreamed about: 

Ask Questions 
Take the time to think about what you want. Ask yourself these questions. Why do you want this? Think about the reasons and write them down. If you can’t express them, you won’t be able to act. What actions do you need to take to move forward with your desires? How long will it take you to accomplish this idea, goal, or project? Is it a new habit you need to develop? Take notes and put thought into the details. Do you need support or an accountability plan? Will you need to overcome others trying to sabotage you with words or actions? Write a plan on how to overcome these personal tests. Decide how you will reward yourself for staying on track. Remember the desired change is the real reward but, in the meantime, what will give you the drive to keep pushing yourself? Taking these steps can turn many of your dreams into reality. It takes planning and a commitment on your part. Most of all, you need to find the true reason it is something you desire. Without knowing the why, you will not be inspired to do the how and when. 

The 5 Second Rule
Mel Robbins, author and creator of The 5 Second Rule, explains the rule –
“The 5 Second Rule is simple. If you have an instinct to act on a goal, you must physically move within 5 seconds, or your brain will kill it. The moment you feel an instinct or a desire to act on a goal or a commitment, use the Rule. When you feel yourself hesitate before doing something that you know you should do, count 5-4-3-2-1-GO and move towards action.”

Mel Robbins explains that she first used the 5 second rule as a way of getting out of bed at a time that was both difficult for her and her family. The process was simple. Counting backwards from 5-4-3-2-1 and acting at the end of the count before the mind creates a reason not to act.

Throughout her book, Robbins explains that you, just like everyone else, have 5 seconds to act out before your mind convinces you to do otherwise. It creates a process to combat the subconscious mind and forces us to act on our ideas.

The primary aim of the 5 second rule is to break our thought pattern while deciding. Often when it comes to the things we need to do, we come up with reasons to put the task off. We do this knowing it needs to be done and by doing so will bring benefits. Using the 5 second rule in these moments acts as a prevention for talking ourselves out of doing something.

Here are a few examples of where the five second rule could be applied:

Before exercise.
Before attending a social occasion.
Before we hit the snooze button.
When we get angry and argue.
Before lighting a cigarette.
Before we partake in any negative habit, such as biting nails.
Before reaching for a second helping at a meal.

A combination of both asking ourselves questions about what we want and using the five second rule can help us reach new habits and accomplish more in the coming year. Happy New Year! 

“Desire is the key to motivation, but it’s determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal – a commitment to excellence – that will enable you to attain the success you seek.” – Mario Andretti

Robin Anne Griffiths–Founder of ReChargeMe Zone * Behavioral Change Specialist * Yoga Instructor * Meditation Facilitator * Personal Trainer * Author * Speaker * Helping people on a journey for change to live a fuller and healthier life.