Through the Valley

Last week we learned there is often lag time between when we start a new habit and when we see tangible change.

This causes many people to give up...too early.

The knowledge that the lag is normal certainly helps us to grin and bear it through the wait...but can we do better than just white knuckling it through this period?

I think so.

We need to find a way to make these unseen results...seen. To make these intangible results...tangible.

I offer a few strategies for your consideration:

1. Focus on the process not the results.

Lanny Bassham tells a great story of a golfer he coached who tapped in his putt on the 18th hole of a tournament, looked around, and saw fans screaming and his wife ecstatically running up to him. Surprised he asked, "Did I win?" Yea he won. The tournament and a million dollars. He was exclusively focused on the process.

If we think about the action steps we can take today, the results will follow. Once your focus is on the process...

2. Make the process tangible.

Let’s take losing weight. Instead of tracking your weight, which may take time to change, track the number of days in a row you logged your food. Or track the number of “healthy” meals you have eaten, workouts worked, meditations meditated, or whatever else you are trying to change.

3. Reward yourself right away and make it fun

As soon as you do the habit, mark it on a calendar. Just the act of marking something down or crossing it off gives us the tiny encouragement we need to keep going.

Build in your own rewards. When I get to X number of days, or meals, or workouts, I get Y. This gives you the reward your human nature needs, before you actually see the results of your habits.

I use a calendar to keep track of my rewards. I keep a streak of my habits and once it gets going, I don’t want to break it. Of course when I inevitably do...it’s all good...I start a new streak the next day.

4. Be Creative

Figure out what motivates you. Right now I am using Amazon Store Credit to curb a stubborn habit I am trying to get rid of. Seriously. My wife is my accountability partner and I earn and lose "credit" depending on my compliance or lack thereof on this habit. Then I can only buy things for myself on Amazon if I have enough "credit." Silly? Maybe. But it works. What motivates you?

5. Use Other Measures

Instead of using weight as your measure, use energy, or self esteem, or overall happiness. Rate yourself daily on one of these subjective feelings. They are likely to improve before the weight starts coming off.

So what is the big idea today? During the valley of waiting for results, whether it be one week, one month, or one year...make your results and rewards visible to you NOW. However you can.

Determination and willpower only take you so far.

At some point, we need to experience success. How about now?

So today, let’s make the invisible visible...one-minute at a time.

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If you are new to the blog, I want to encourage you to go back and check out my previous posts, as they serve as the foundation for what we talk about each week.

In addition, if you, or anyone you know would like to take your nutrition to the next level, please contact me about my coaching services.

Here's to the best version of you!