Contributed by Evey Brown

Everyone is interested in self improvement, growth and resolutions.  On January 1st we all make resolutions but how many of them are still in effect now it’s April?  That is the subject I want to address; how to keep your personal growth up and make these resolutions into permanent healthy habits.

1. Remind yourself about your resolution.  Let’s take going to the gym for an example.  You could put little sticky notes at your desk, bathroom mirror, or the  dashboard of your car.  Make them positive; “I get to go to the gym today!” or “Treating myself to some gym time!”.  Decorate them with stickers or bright colored pens and markers.  Or you could simply set your phone alarm.

2.  Involve some accountability.  Phone a friend the night before, then again after you finish.  You are more likely to follow through with someone aware of what you are doing.

3.  Reward yourself for following through.  Take an extra long hot shower before you leave or buy yourself a tasty and healthy drink.  After a week of success, buy yourself a new pair of workout shoes or sweats.

4.  Track your success.  Put a tick mark on your calendar for every day you make it to the gym, make your own poster totaling up the amount of minutes and hours you have invested in this goal should help you remain interested.

5. Prepare for success.  Set your gym clothes out the night before, put your gym bag on the kitchen counter so you can’t miss it.  And after your workout, put those clothes into the washer first thing when you get home so you don’t have the excuse that you don’t have anything to wear.  You could also put a fresh bottle of water and healthy snack in there to munch on as you drive there.

6.  Mental imagery can help.  Professional athletes are trained to meditate about what winning their events will look like, how they will feel after.  Are you feeling that runners’ high as you finish, more awake and alert through the day?  Don’t hesitate to let these thoughts spark your ambition.

7.  Admit to yourself there will be lapses.  You are only human.  But getting back into the swing of things is important.  If you slept in and missed the gym, you can take a short walk during your lunch at work, do some squats while you are cooking dinner, do some wall push ups as your favorite TV show plays.

8.  Prevent boredom.  Vary your workout.  Add weights, use different exercises and try some sports.  You might find something you can’t wait to get up and do every day.

Personal growth is just that; personal  Your journey will be different from anyone else’s and hopefully these suggestions will help you find yours, and keep it going.  One step at a time, one day at a time, new habits, new you.