Before marriage and kids, I had the free time to work out at the gym after work. The other regulars and I dreaded January, as the parking lot, locker room, and aerobics classes were packed with newbies, but we knew the crowds would thin by February.
Sales of gym memberships soar in January because excitement about the New Year is mistaken as readiness for change. It takes just a few clicks of the mouse to buy a gym membership, but changing into workout clothes, driving to the gym, exercising, and showering can be a two-hour commitment.
Because the newbies’ weren't ready to to use their new gym membership, the crowd was back to normal size in four weeks.
Evaluating Our Readiness
As a Behavior Change Specialist, I understand that sometimes we set health improvement goals before we are ready to make the necessary changes. We might know intellectually that our health is suboptimal, however, we lack the emotional commitment required to overcome challenges.
Perhaps our doctor warned us to stop smoking or our spouse nags us to lose weight but subconsciously we are more comfortable keeping things as they are. Perhaps we are afraid of failure or don’t believe that we are worthy of achieving our goals.
The difference between those who succeed and those who don’t is their readiness for change. Evaluating our mental and emotional readiness increases the probability of success anytime we undertake a major change. As you set resolutions for the New Year, consider the following:
Do you know your whys? Just knowing that something is good for us may not be enough to sustain us when inevitable setbacks occur. Health goals that someone else goaded us into setting falter in the headwinds of our biological resistance to change. Strong, clear internal motivation empowers us to stay the course when we feel like giving up. Why do you want to improve your health? How powerful is your commitment?
Do you know your why nots? Positive life changes may bring undesirable repercussions. For example, a gamer who decides to spend less time online may miss socializing virtually with their gamer friends. Abstaining from alcohol may mean foregoing happy-hour get-togethers with colleagues after work. A smoker may worry about gaining weight if she gives up cigarettes. What will you have to sacrifice to fulfill your goals? Are you prepared to accept the consequences? Do your whys outweigh your why nots?
Who can support or hinder you? Our pursuit of personal improvement will impact the people around us in both positive and negative ways. For example, my neighbor’s marriage ended when she conquered her chronic obesity. Who are your cheerleaders and how can you solicit their support? Who might try to sabotage your efforts? How can you mitigate their resistance? Finally, look inside. We are all susceptible to imposter syndrome, which can lead to self-sabotage. Do you believe that you are worthy of achieving your goals? Accomplishing health improvements may change how other people see you, as well as how you see yourself. Are you prepared to embrace your new identity?
What is your superpower? We all have strengths. Sometimes, we overlook our superpowers because they come so naturally to us that we just assume they’re easy for everyone. What personality traits have helped you be successful in the past? How can you leverage those strengths on your self-improvement journey?
What is your kryptonite? Reflect back on past resolutions that did not yield the desired results. What got in your way? How can you prevent that from happening in the future?
Change can be scary. Even if the grass is greener on the other side, staying in an undesirable—yet familiar—situation can be preferable to hoisting oneself over the fence into unfamiliar territory.
I understand how it feels because I, too, have stood at the crossroads of craving a change while—at the same time—fearing that my dream might come true. I attribute my success to clear intentions, willingness to make sacrifices, playing to my strengths and soliciting support from others.
Whatever your journey, a little preparation can make all the difference in our experience. Are you ready?
An Intentional 2025
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