Image source: pixabay.com/max60500
My grandad and grandma were both smokers. When they were about my age, Grandad said he was quitting. In the many decades that have passed since then, he hasn't touched a single cigarette. That's just the way he is, my grandad.
When my grandma saw that, she said she'd stop smoking too. And from then on... she smoked in secret. She smoked everywhere but in front of Grandad. She was too embarrassed that she hadn't managed it like him. Occasionally she smoked even when he was around and declared it a minor relapse. After that, she switched back to secret mode and smoked in the cellar. That's just the way she is, my grandma.
Only 20% of us are blessed with strong willpower
Science claims that 20% of us are endowed with strong willpower. My grandad is definitely one of them. 60% of us have to make do with average willpower and the remaining 20% have below-average willpower. Congratulations, if you belong to the top 20%, be happy about it and be patient with us, the remaining 80%. We're only human and let's be honest - most of our good intentions come to a bad end.
That's why you need every ally you can get when following through with your resolutions. The most important ally is your brain. I'll explain how it works and how you can get it to support you in a moment.
These 3 ways will help you keep your resolutions:
1. connection to feeling
A specific area of the brain, namely the cerebral cortex, is responsible for forming resolutions. However, for a resolution to be successfully put into practice, the cerebral cortex must establish a link with the parts of the brain responsible for emotions.
Image source: pixabay.com/ElisaRiva
Our feelings cause us to fail more often than we realise. Feelings simply cannot stand being ignored. We must learn to ask ourselves the right questions. Your true motivation is a feeling you long for. Keep that feeling in mind; it will help you to persevere.
1.1 How do I want to feel?
Do you want to feel attractive, light, agile, healthy or strong? This desired feeling is your guiding star. It also helps you to recognise the direction in which you want to steer your life. Who drains your energy, and who inspires you?
1.2 What kind of woman do I want to be?
This question stimulates your visual imagination. Create your own mental images of the woman you’d like to be. Perhaps this might include a new style of dress or a hobby that brings you closer to that image.
Image source: pixabay.com/ivanovgood
2. small steps
The power of small steps is grossly underestimated. Instead of giving up sugar completely straight away, aim to go without it three days a week. The pressure is off, and your chances of long-term success increase massively. Health is a long-term project.
Image source: pixabay.com/Free-Photos
We simply find it easier to stick with small steps for longer. My husband always says: „It’s never about flawless, consistent perfection. Do it as often as you can, and it’ll become a habit. Your body will adapt, and then that will become the new you.“
3. a beginning can also be the goal
I’ve got lots of ideas and plenty of enthusiasm. Most of my projects never came to anything, but the few that have stuck – like this blog – have changed my life. Every new beginning is a valuable experience. It’s a bit like kissing frogs: you never know which one will turn into a prince.
Image source: pixabay.com/geralt
A resolution is about seizing the opportunity to see what my life could be like. It is precisely on the basis of these principles that I devised „Chi statt Botox“. It helps you achieve great results with minimal effort and can be integrated into your everyday life in the long term.
