I recently had a conversation with a client about having an “all or nothing” mindset.  Sometimes we think just because we are not doing EVERYTHING that means we aren’t doing ANYTHING.

It is much better to exercise 3x per week consistently for 6 months than to exercise 5-6 days per week for a month and then drop out because something happens and you can no longer do the 5-6 days per week.

There is no Perfect

The second you stop trying to attain perfection is the day you will feel liberated.  There is no such thing as perfect.  It’s not even on the map.  As Coach Steve-O of Habitry said this past weekend at the Nor Cal Fitness Summit, “When you’re doing something new and you’re afraid..just say to yourself ‘This is an experiment'”

When you’re embarking on Lifestyle Change, It’s an experiment while you’re trying to figure out what works for you.  It doesn’t need to be perfect but it does need to be consistent if you want to get the most out of your experience.

Consistency is Key

The reason most people fail at whatever changes they are trying to make is because they are inconsistent.  A lot of that inconsistency stems from the “all or nothing” mentality.  We think if we can’t do it perfectly then we shouldn’t do it at all.

Consistency is key to any success.  Here my Three Tips to Consistency

  • Pick ONE Thing to Focus on.
  • Set Small Manageable Goals with a Deadline for evaluation
  • Get Accountable

Pick ONE THING

This is why I am such a fan of asking what is the ONE THING you will focus on this month to live better?  When you have ONE habit to focus on it is much more manageable than trying to change EVERYTHING.

Set Small Manageable Goals with a Deadline

We have found in our coaching group that setting small manageable goals is extremely effective.  Key word is: manageable.

Setting a Goal with a Deadline gives you time to evaluate what worked and what is not working.  It also prevents you from going on a march to nowhere.

Our 7 Day Walking Challenge was successful because it was only 7 days and it offered people a chance to evaluate how they could be more consistent with getting enough movement.  I have heard from several people that they walk much more now just due to that 7 day challenge

Get Accountable

One of the reasons I love my Group Cycle Class is that we are accountable to each other.  If one of our regulars isn’t there, then we notice and we talk about it.  “Where’s _____ today?”

In order to for you to be consistent you need to be accountable to someone because otherwise it is too easy for you to quit.

Just Keep Showing Up

Real change is a process and takes time.

This is why I don’t work with people who want quick fixes.  Anybody can have people do a starvation diet and add a lot of exercise where they will lose lots of weight quickly, but as we know those programs are not sustainable.  We also know that the second someone doesn’t FEEL like they are seeing results or results plateau, they will quit.

In order to be successful at ANYTHING you must be consistent even when it doesn’t FEEL like anything is happening.  Small steps over time end in BIG results.

It’s the person that shows up every day CONSISTENTLY whether they can see or feel results that day or not that will ultimately win the race because