Good Habits Support Good Results

 Maybe you feel that now is the time to improve your health and life? Good habits are often critical to achieving good results and a positive outcome.

Maybe you're looking to lose weight, get fit, be more successful, motivated to do well at work, or feel like it's time to expand your circle of friends; all require sustained effort to continue beyond the first few enthusiastic days.

Let good habits promote good results

- The first thing you will appreciate about good habits is that they must have real resonance for you. If you're not particularly concerned with being slimmer, fitter, or more successful, then this lack of enthusiasm won't sustain you through the cold, dark evenings or difficult days when your willpower begins to waver. Having friends or family pushing you to "better yourself" only increases your stress levels, resentment, and possibly feelings of low self-esteem. Choose good habits that are right for you.

- Small steps are a positive way to move towards your bigger goals. Stepping stones can help prevent you from feeling overwhelmed by having to tackle everything at once. Acknowledge each milestone you reach; give yourself credit for enrolling in that class, not eating that cake, refusing that alcoholic drink. Every decision brings you closer to these good results.

- Stay focused, but also realize that sometimes other opportunities may arise that can add value to your life. Don't get too carried away with the agreed good habits, but at the same time be ready for great opportunities that may arise. Limit the time, money, or mental energy you spend on distractions. Allow yourself to get the most out of them and enjoy what they bring to your life, but don't let them distract you from the big picture and your ultimate goal.

Being accountable to others can be a great motivator. Regular monitoring and reporting of progress ensures that you are aware of every stage of the journey. Knowing you have a regular date in your diary can quickly push temptation out of your mind.

- Connecting with a group and working together on shared goals can provide a good support network. Exchanging tips, advice and motivational stories can provide real support on those tired, lackluster days. And knowing that our attendance is important to the group's survival can inspire us to continue. Being part of a group, even online, can encourage us to stick to our good habits. However, the downside is that if one or two members lose enthusiasm, it can demotivate others.

- Sometimes paying in advance to join a club or gym will make people go regularly, while others lose interest and go only a few times, even if they pay all that money. For me, I committed to a weekly supply of locally grown organic vegetables. It inspired me to eat at least one thing from a box every day and it's good to cook from scratch, eat fresh organic food, shop local and sometimes try new things I've never cooked before. The fact that it arrives every week means there's no excuse to slack off on eating these healthy veggies, and it's a habit I'm happy to maintain.

- Be aware of your vulnerable areas and put measures in place to mitigate them. So, for example, if you know that you will find reasons every day to justify stopping at a gas station, without a license or at a supermarket, where you then "accidentally" buy chocolate, wine, cigarettes or scratch cards, seize those times and do not go. Instead, shop online or make a list and shop once a week. Don't be tempted.

- Enlisting the services of a professional coach or therapist may be worth considering if you feel there are specific issues holding you back that need to be addressed. Regular sessions can help you move on, establish a positive mindset, manage stress and resolve to heal yourself better.

Be gentle with yourself. It can take 2-6 months for a new habit to become your automatic default. If you experience slips, bad days, and "can't be bothered" moments, be kind to yourself and let them go. Remind yourself of all the good reasons why you need to persevere and start over, knowing that if you stick to your good habits, you will ultimately promote good results and outcomes.

Susan Leigh, counsellor, hypnotherapist, relationship counselor, author and media contributor offers help with relationship issues, stress management, assertiveness and confidence. She works with individual clients, couples and provides corporate workshops and support.