My work often leads me to learn simple yet proven techniques to help improve my sense of well-being. Things like good nutrition, regular exercise, meditation, journaling to name but a few. All valuable practices to adopt, but even with this knowledge (and the best of intentions) I still find I can struggle to change my behaviour in certain areas. Which is frustrating because I know what I need to do, so why can’t I just go ahead and do it already or at least do it with some consistency?
Laurie Santos, a professor at Yale University describes this as the G.I Joe fallacy: “the mistaken idea that ‘knowing’ is enough to change behaviour”. In actuality, to change our behaviour, we have to change our habits. Which is easier said than done really, isn’t it?
At the moment I’m undertaking a course on well-being (run by Laurie), part of which involves actively trying to incorporate a specific wellness activity into my life, giving me the best chance to build it into a productive habit.
I’ve definitely benefited from the tips & techniques I’ve acquired as part of this and I want to share them with you now. So if you’re ready to convert a good intention into an established good habit, read on!
I’ve just entered into a new partnership! One that I’m pleased to say my husband is quite open to – well mainly because it has nothing to do with our marriage, and everything to do with my success. Yes, I have gone and got myself an accountability partner.
It’s somebody who helps you fulfil a goal through regular meetings to check your progress. It’s a reciprocal, committed partnership, based on trust & a shared drive to succeed.
For my birthday this month, I’ve decided to give myself a gift that will mean something to me. Although I have written myself an actual birthday list, this particular gift can’t be purchased in a store. Starting in this new year of my life, I want to be braver and therefore, I would like to give myself the gift of courage.
This doesn’t mean I want to turn myself into a superhero or head out to do crazy death-defying feats. It also doesn’t mean I’m currently a quivering mass scared of my own shadow. Ideally, it just means finding the courage to release the fears currently holding me back & developing the confidence to step-up, when I’d usually shy away.
Vision boards, dream boards, call-them-what-you-will boards, are perhaps one of the best tools to get you ultra-focused on your goals.
Once you understand your purpose & truly know what you want, I personally see vision boards as the next logical step in helping you achieve all that you aspire to.
Quite simply it’s a board or piece of paper upon which you create a collage of photos, pictures, words & quotes visually representing your goals & dreams.
The idea is to get you focused & motivated to work on and ultimately achieve your goals. By picking images & words that resonate with you and looking at them daily, you’ll strengthen & stimulate all the right emotions to push you forward.
