Too many changes at once is too much. If you change one thing and adjust to it before you change something else, you're almost guaranteed to succeed. You change too much, and you're likely to give up.
Like changing the time you get up, start working out, eating better, start a to-do list, start (insert here). If you were to do all that at once, by the end of two weeks (being super optimistic here) you'd be burnt out and give up. But if you were to start with committing to going to bed a little earlier and getting up a little earlier for a month before adding any other changes, you'd succeed at that because it takes 21 days to form a habit, 30 to really make it stick. Then add in a workout regime. The next month some changes to your diet like cutting out fast food and adding veggies. Then the next month some more changes, like cutting soda. Start setting a time to get organized for the day, with your to-do list (evening tends to work for me because I sleep better not thinking of things I need to do and I wake up with a purpose).
Then you'll be set for the rest of your life! Habits is the difference! Successful people differ from average people all because of habits! Stop with trying to change everything at once! Make a strong foundation for your house! Build good habits, one brick at a time, and your house will be solid rather than just a fresh coat of paint... Paint won't keep a house standing, the foundation will. So build your house well. No corner cutting.
Reminds me of a story I heard. A father was retiring and asked his son to build him a house. The father told his son he wasn't sure what he wanted so to build the house the way the son would want one. Any money left over the father would give to the son. So he went to work building the house the way he would want.
The son was no idiot. Save money by getting materials that were cheaper, not the real thing, linoleum rather than marble, fake wood rather than bamboo, etc... Then he would get more.money from his dad.
When he finished building it, he gave his dad a tour. His father asked him about the linoleum and such as he noticed things and the son had explanations ready. When the tour was over the father said "well son, you see the thing is that I won't be giving you money for building the house... Surprise, the house is for you!"
All those cut corners and he could have done it right, really well, and had the house he always wanted. You're your own house! Don't cut corners. Take the time to do it right! It's ok if it takes longer! It will actually take less time because the changes will actually stick and you won't give up because of being overwhelmed! Focus on your mini goal, you're small change for this month. By the end of 2012, your 12 changes will have completely transformed your life, and everyone will see the difference! Physically, emotionally, financially, personality... You will be different, stronger, happier. But you have to do it right!
For me, I'm committed to working out 6 days a week. I made that change, but now I'm changing to 6 days a week at home and only 3 classes at the gym... That's a big change. I have been adjusting to eating clean (as you have seen in my food journal, I'm not perfect at it) and don't want to stretch myself too thin. I've been trying to adjust my bed and wake up times... But I think I'm doing too many hours at once. Changing it from 9am to 8am would be easier to commit to than 5am... Although I don't have an option some of the days.
With all these changes, its very easy to get overwhelmed. I want to build my house right. I want to have a healthy life out of habit, not constantly working at it. So, my plan is to focus on these things, and later in the year go vegan. I don't think I'll be a fanatical about things the way some people are... But its a change for me where as I think people like that are about forcing their views onto other people and about belonging in the group of "ethically correct" people.
For me, its about health. It's about having energy, being healthy and strong. I love animals, so that doesn't hurt either. :) but I won't just jump into it, I want to build that right too. I want to build each change and have them stick... So going vegan will just have to wait for its turn on my list of lifestyle habits.
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