Dr. Jody Stanislaw, ND
@DrJodyND
Q: I want to be a healthier diabetic. How do I make new healthy habits stick?
A: Follow the proven principles in the B.E. A.W.E.S.O.M.E. formula…
The beginning of a new year is a great time to reflect and make a plan for what you desire in the year ahead. Howeve
r, less than 10% of people accomplish their new year’s resolutions. So should you not make goals? On the contrary!
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
Set aside time to make a plan….AND then follow these incredibly valuable strategies in my B.E. A.W.E.S.O.M.E. Formula. If you apply these simple tips, you will be successful at reaching your goals.
B is for Baby steps…Break down your new habits into easy baby steps you can take each day. Make sure they are specific. For example, if you want more joy and laughter (not specific), you could make the first Saturday of each month your night to see a funny movie (very specific action). If you want more free time (not specific), schedule a specific activity for yourself each week into your calendar or even just for 3 minutes each day at noon (very specific action).
E is for Expect imperfection…Fall down? No biggie. Just get back up. You won’t be perfect. That’s okay. Don’t let it derail you. Just get back on track. Live by the 80/20 rule…hitting 80% is the new A+.
A is for Accountability… It’s a proven fact that you will have a greater chance of reaching your goals if you have someone to be accountable to. Patients who work with me make positive changes they’ve tried to achieve on their own for years with no success, yet once they have me to be accountable to, their success soars. No matter how great the athlete, nobody makes it the Olympics without a coach. Being accountable is essential.
W is for What do you Want?…Be clear on what you really WANT and move towards that. Do not focus on wanting less of something. For example, when I ask patients what they want, they often answer, “I don’t want to feel so tired!” But that doesn’t tell me what they actually want. So the correct focus is, “I want to feel good. I want to have good blood sugar levels. I want to feel great in my body…” Know what you want and focus on that.
E is for Expect Less… One reason goals often go unmet is because we expect too much of ourselves. By keeping goals small…for example, going to bed by 10 just twice per week, avoiding sugar only three days per week…you set yourself up for success, and success breeds more success! After achieving smaller goals, you’ll become motivated to increase them.
$ is for Invest…Investing the time, such as three months or more, will allow you the time needed to really adopt and grasp a new habit and have it become a regular part of your life. Thinking you can achieve a new well-formed habit in only a few weeks can set you up for failure. As for investing money, when you spend money, it’s a message to your brain that this is something important to you. You will take it more seriously and value the experience more. Change takes patience and dedication. Invest in yourself…you are worth it.
O is for Obstacles…Know what they are and work with your accountability person to design a plan to overcome them.
M is for Mirror…You must be able to actually SEE yourself living in this new way and believe it IS possible for you. Secondly, post up visual reminders of your goals and the daily actions needed to reach them. It’s a fact that when goals are written and you see them daily, your success in reaching them skyrockets.
E is for Excitement…Stay excited! Celebrate every step you take along the way, ensuring you give yourself appreciation along the way.
Why is a doctor writing about goal setting? Because people who have goals and reach them are happier and healthier. So…what is your plan for 2016?
If you don’t have someone to be accountable to, I’d love to help you. Send an email to [email protected] to request information on working with me, or just sign up for a chat here: www.consultwithdrjody.com
Dr. Jody Stanislaw received her degree from one of the best holistic medical schools in the country, Bastyr University located in Seattle. She works with patients located around the country over phone/Skype. She specializes in diabetes care, where she brings in wisdom from her professional as well as personal experience, having lived with type 1 since the age of 7. She also treats digestive disorders, seasonal allergies, anxiety/depression, high blood pressure or cholesterol, and more. To contact Dr. Stanislaw, visit www.DrJodyND.com or send an email to [email protected]