How To Keep Moving Forward When You Feel Stuck With Your Health & Wellness Goals
As it turns out, whether you're struggling to build the business, life or health of your dreams, the "rules" of the game are pretty much the same:
It's a journey with milestones, set-backs, hurdles, challenges, and triumphs
There are many many many paths you can take - one is not better than the other - you just have to find the one that works for you
It can feel lonely at times, but you’re never alone. While the path you're on is yours and yours alone and not to be compared to anyone else's, that does not mean you are the only one struggling or that you can't ask for help.
How to get unstuck
Here's a little exercise that I like to do with my clients when they are struggling to stick with a new habit, break an old one, make a meaningful mindset shift or simply move forward in their wellness journey (hint: it's applicable for your entrepreneurial journey and your life too)
Step 1: Hit the pause button and take a time out
It's ok to take a break. I invite you to take this time to reflect on your thoughts and feelings to see what comes up and where they may be coming from. Journaling is a really great tool for this process as writing things out is not only therapeutic but also puts things in perspective.
Step 2 : Ask yourself some investigative questions
Start with a simple, Why am I struggling with this? If you don't know the answer to this just yet, it's ok, just write the thoughts and possibilities that come to mind and look for clues.
Ask yourself: How do I feel when I do/don't make progress in this area? Name the feelings that come up. Ask yourself why you feel this way. What beliefs do you have that contribute to these feelings?
Step 3: Revisit your vision, goals and plan?
Ask yourself - Does this align with my wellness vision, goals and plan?
If the answer is no it does not, then it's time to drop it and move on. You will always struggle with something if it is not in alignment with where you want to be and there's no sense in wasting valuable time and energy on it. Think about where you could/should be focusing your time and energy.
If the answer is yes it does, then it's time to revisit your vision, goals and plan and ask yourself - do I really want these things for myself or are they a reflection of what society wants/expects of me?
If your vision, goals and plans feel valid to you, then it's time to course correct your behaviour. So ask yourself:
- What can I do differently to be more consistent with this action/habit/area?
- What I am ready to start doing differently and what am I not willing to do?
- What kind of support do I need to overcome the challenges I'm having?
- What do I have, what am I missing and how do I close that gap?
If you no longer feel aligned to your vision, goals and plan, then rewrite them. Nothing is ever etched in stone. Just be sure you're not constantly rewriting them as an excuse to break a commitment to yourself (but that's for another newsletter).
Step 4: Move Forward
Move forward, and adjust as needed until you find something that fits. It's all about trial, adjustment and correction.
Chances are, nothing will fit or feel right forever. We all go through seasons and stages of life and our journey is not a flat straight road. Our needs change and our strategies and actions need to change with them. The more you get used to making changes and adjustments, the more resilient and adaptable you will become and the easier it will get overtime.