Get Back on Track
We are nearing the end of January, and you may already be feeling stuck. You set an intention (not resolution) for the new year, and you are trying to implement changes in your life (smaller waist, more savings, drink more water), yet you have found that your progress is stalling. Your growth has been hindered. You may feel defeated, but do not sit in that emotion. It is time to get to the bottom of what is hindering your progress (or growth) and find a way to overcome that issue. I have three breakaways to have you deal with stunted growth and put you back on track to implement your intentions.
Breakaway 1: Watch Your Words
Sometimes our words can stop us before we start. If your intention is to get promoted at work, have you caught yourself talking bad about your company or your skillset to a coworker. “I saw that the company was advertising for a manager, but you know I can’t get up that early, and I definitely will not stay late.” Unbeknownst to you, your manager asks your coworker about promoting you, and they repeat your words verbatim. Your words just hindered your growth!
Writer Robin Sharma is quoted as saying, “Words can inspire. And words can destroy. Choose yours well.”
What we tell ourselves and others can hinder our progress in our career, relationships, and health. First assignment: Assess the intention implementation that has stalled. In what ways do you feel your words have impacted the progress. How can you change what you say and get yourself back on track?
Breakaway 2: Make an investment
Investment is defined as “the investing of money or capital in order to gain profitable returns, as interest, income, or appreciation in value.” I believe an investment can be monetary, a time component, or your thoughts (mindset). It is easy to set intentions at the beginning of the year. For many of us, this intention setting is like building a wish list of things we hope to accomplish. Hope is the operative word because we often set intentions with no real plans to implement. Implementation usually requires an investment, and that can serve as a deterrent. If your intention this year is to lose weight, you will need to invest in exercising and preparing healthy meals. You may also need to prepare yourself mentally (mental investment), and you may have to make a small financial investment in healthy groceries or workout assistance/tools. I get it; we all want something for nothing, but anything worth having takes an investment. Second assignment: Look at where your growth stalled in January. Did you invest the time, mindset, and possible finances into your intention for it to flourish? Write down your response and implement the change!
Breakaway 3: Patience is key
As much as we might wish it, it is rare that anything worth having happens overnight. I would love to work out tomorrow and have flat abs by the weekend, but that is not how the body works (and why not!). We would all love more significant savings in our accounts now, but you must be consistent in reaching your ultimate goals. An idea would be to set mini-goals along your way (i.e., a celebration for $500, $1500, and $3000 saved). Mini goals will allow you to realize your progress and recognize there is more work to be done. We must learn to be patient with these things in the face of adversity. Final assignment: Look back on where you stalled in January. Was patience this issue? Were you trying to rush the results after your investment? Keep going through February and reassess then. Don’t give up!
In conclusion, implementing intentions requires hard work and patience. However, if you take the time to assess what is hindering your growth and implement necessary change, you will see results. I’m rooting for you!
PM Kester is the host of How To Take A Break — The Podcast. She is also the break taking mother of two girls. She resides in Atlanta, GA.
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