Hey, it's your conscience calling, how are you doing on your goals this year? When motivation abounds in the new year, many of us set goals like finding a new job, getting a promotion, or learning a shiny new industry skill.
Unfortunately, as motivation wanes, we often struggle to keep up with our goals. Enter - resolution gremlins.
Resolution gremlins are a cutesy (or maybe not so cutesy) way to make those stories we tell ourselves tangible and yet still outside of our control.
In order to stick to our resolutions, we must confront the gremlins that can sabotage our efforts. To avoid awakening these pesky creatures, we must follow three simple rules: don't get them wet, don't feed them after midnight, and don't put them in bright light.
Don't get them wet
The first rule, "don't get them wet," means that we should avoid getting our gremlins too emotionally worked up. Setting realistic goals and taking incremental steps towards achieving them helps prevent overwhelm and fatigue. Still stuck? Think smaller. Achieving small goals gives you the dopamine drip that accelerates future action.
Don't feed them after midnight
The second rule, "don't feed them after midnight," reminds us not to engage in unhelpful thought patterns that can sabotage our resolutions. The the voices in your head (and let's be honest- in mine too! No one is excused from having a human experience) convince us to procrastinate or settle for less than we deserve.
The gremlins make you believe you're not good enough, the job market is too big, or you don't have the time to start a new career. These thoughts seem innocent enough on the surface, but become a problem when you convince yourself that you are a very smart person with a totally accurate brain, so therefore they must be true. This is a good time to separate the thoughts from the thinker. Telling yourself "this is the part where...." can create the distance you need to see your thoughts as optional.
Don't put them in bright light
The third rule, "don't put them in bright light," emphasizes the importance of creating an environment that supports our resolutions. This could mean finding an accountability partner, setting up habits that compound our efforts , or removing distractions from our lives. Taking a step back to ensure your goals are connected with a core value can help give you an extra push when pure willpower isn't cutting it.
By following these rules, we can confront our gremlins and overcome the obstacles that may stand in the way of achieving our goals. Remember, success takes time and effort, but with the right tools and environment, you can make your resolutions a reality.
Comments