Goals – Page 5 – Miranda Adams Coaching

Forming good routines for healthy habits.

Having had a recent break from regular routine, it only confirms to me the importance of it, in the formation of good habits. For me having a good routine is very helpful in forming good habits. Sticking to regular workout times for example helps it to become part of your daily/ weekly rhythm to the point you can become naturally motivated to do your workout without having to think about it. This can apply to any healthy habit we wish to form – meditation, healthy diet etc.

With any healthy habit I have formed such as regular meditation , exercise and healthy eating this has always been the case. There are also other benefits to some of these routines such as an increase in metabolism when eating at regular intervals.

I have come to a point now where I even consider it to be essential , through experience of how well this works I find myself being far more effective and motivated when I have formed these good routines which then become habits. This is something I also recommend to anyone who lacks motivation to exercise. If you can stick to the same time and days each week for long enough then it will become habit, you will then without doubt be motivated to do it. It will become part of your physiology, you will feel like you need to do it, just like how you naturally feel the need to brush your teeth and wash everyday.

This is also how many of us form bad habits where they have become a fixed part of our routine, such as when we come in at night and may veg in front of the T.V, or get drunk on a saturday night. It could even be said that such routines have become habits of the nation, even to the point where those who spend their evenings at the gym or choose not to drink or get drunk are seen as ‘fitness freaks’ or somewhat abnormal.

The saying that ‘we are creatures of habit’ is a very true one and we will naturally form habits throughout our lives. But ultimately we are in control of our habits as long as we choose to be, we just have to make the choice. Decide what to do and who you want to be.

Forming a good routine is one very powerful way to form good habits as it puts you back in the driving seat of your life. Habits are not mindlessly formed, at one point we have to learn them and it is then formed through repetition.

We can therefore, at any time choose to learn and develop new ones. If forming new healthy habits is something you want to do then it is very helpful to begin by adding it in to your routine. Start by writing in your diary the times and days that you will workout in each week, the same for your healthy meals and any other new healthy habits. Then be strict with yourself and stick to it, no matter what, no excuses, and within a month you will have formed yourself a very good habit that if you keep it will serve you well for life.

This can also help with quitting bad habits, use the new routine to form a good habit that will replace the bad habit. Taking your focus off the bad habit and onto something new in a new routine will actually make it much easier than just trying to quit the bad habit, because your focus will be on something new that will drive you to quit your bad habit when your new routine becomes more important.

This is not to say that spontaneity doesnt have its place, of course it does, so allow for this also and dont be too hard on yourself. Many things in life cannot be planned and will occur naturally but the good routines you have formed can hold you in stead and keep you focused on your health, work and success when these unplanned things do happen.

Like many things in life it is about balance but ultimately which would you prefer; a life of health and vitality, feeling good and in control of your life or one of following the herd and being a tv or junk food junkie. Of course choose the one which you think is right for you, but know which serves you best and that it is you that has the choice.

Habits are said to be hard to change but this only makes us less likely to do it, make the focus positive and part of your routine and it will feel much easier.

Some helpful tips:

Define your goals and what you want to achieve – use the SMART approach.
Write down your goals and break it down in to actions that you will add in your daily and weekly routine.
Write down the days and times that you will be doing your new activities such as going to the gym/ meditating etc
Stick to it without fail if any excuses enter your mind – ignore them.

For the first 4-6 weeks it may feel difficult, but focus on all the positives ( such as how good you feel from a workout or meditation.) – also keep these written down and remind yourself of them regularly. Then once you have formed the habit it will become an enjoyable and life changing part of your lifestyle worth every single bit of initial effort.

‘The self is not something ready made, but something in continuous formation through choice of action.’ ~ John Dewey

Faith vs Fear

Life can be a challenge between Faith and Fear. A lot of what we may need or want in life lies in the unseen, therefore requires an amount of faith in its manifestation, without faith a state of fear can arise.

We need an amount of certainty in our lives to know that our basic needs are going to be met, sometimes we can not be sure that they will be so it can bring about fear – this is where our faith comes in. Faith is believing in the unseen with absolute certainty and conviction, knowing that that which you need will appear , having this type of faith is very empowering and is what can often give us the strength and courage to come through the difficult times and to manifest our needs and more than we thought possible.

This is also how visualisation and mindfulness can be so powerful as they can bring about this state of faith and certainty, and take us away from the state of fear and uncertainty.

Fear on the other hand is like a trap, it can control our lives if we allow it to, it is false however and also yet unseen but will have very different results to that which we desire. I have as many been in both of these places, that of intense fear and that of intense faith and I can say with absolute certainty that I much prefer the latter. Fear is perpetual doubt and until you decide to beat it with your own faith it will keep winning and keep you trapped there. Faith is in your hands, your heart and your mind, and it is also extremely powerful.

When you next feel a state of lack and you need something or you are setting goals to stretch yourself and you start to feel fear or uncertainty, remember to choose faith over fear. Dont give fear any power, dont allow it to trap you and to confine your life.

Have faith in yourself and your environment and the results will come.

‘Take the first step in faith, you dont have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.’ ~ Martin Luther King

Self- Belief and Equality

I believe for it to be vital for each and every one of us to have a strong sense of self- belief, as this is what really empowers us to achieve our dreams and reach our true potential. Without it achieving our goals is far more difficult.

When I speak of self-belief I mean knowing and understanding your true inner potential before you even see it, having absolute faith in yourself and your abilities. Knowing that you can achieve whatever it is you set your mind to, despite what others may say or do to cause disbelief. Perhaps more importantly to do so inspite of this and to encourage and build others up at the same time.

One thing I have to admit that I really dislike is when people put others down to inflate their own self importance, this is not only damaging to both parties but also unecessary. Some may think it to be human nature, but I like to think that we can operate at a higher level than this animalistic state. This type of behaviour only operates from a false sense of self, based on the ego creating a temporary sense of hierachy, which is not only false but also destructive to both parties.

We are all equal in sense of our importance and value, no-one has more rights or is more important or valuable than anyone else even if some would like to have you believe they are, it is simply untrue. We may look different and have different abilities and interests but on the inside we are all the same, we all have fears and desires and we all have the same needs, based on this we are all one and the same.

By respecting our differences and recognising our true similarities we can realise true peace and harmony. We can encourage each other to reach our full potential without having to fight or put others down, this behaviour is part of our animalistic state but we can operate at a much higher level than this, we have the ability and choice to do this.

Each one of us is capable of achieving so much in our lifetimes and with self belief and determination it is possible to do so. It doesnt matter where you come from, what your ‘abilities’ are or what your social status is – these are societies conditions. What you can achieve comes from within you and is infinite, regardless of whats society suggests.

We all have unlimited potential and we are all equal in humanity, so why not encourage each other to achieve our true potential and believe in ourselves wholeheartedly. Lets believe in and encourage ourselves and each other and let go of any judgement and discrimination. How beautiful will our societies be then?

Believe in you and you will inspire others too.

‘With realization in ones own potential and self- confidence in ones ability, one can build a better world.’ ~ Dalai Lama

The Importance of Perseverance

When setting out to achieve any goal, one of the most important attitudes you can have is that of perseverance. It doesn’t matter what it is you want to achieve, anything that takes you out of your comfort zone will require this of you. The bigger the goal the more perseverance you tend to need.

Life has a way of testing us so that we can grow along with our goals, but the great thing is that each & every one of us has the capability to achieve whatever it is we want to, we just have to believe we can. This I believe to be an essential component to perseverance, but additionally, persevering when we have to will equally increase our self belief.

The more you step out there and stretch yourself to bigger and better goals the more you will realise how much you can really achieve, and the more you will strengthen your ability to persevere.

It is rare for any goal worth pursuing to be a straight and easy road, the road will be filled with all kinds of obstacles, twists & turns. But this is not something to be feared. These obstacles are what you will turn in to stepping stones to enable you to reach your goal. These are what challenge you so that you can grow as a person in order to achieve your goals.

So start now how ever big or small your goal is, take action to achieve it. Know for sure that you have the ability within you to achieve it and never give up.

‘Through perseverance many people win success out of what seemed destined to be certain failure.’
~Benjamin Disraeli