Ask a Trainer: Leap forward this year by 'living exactly as planned'

A: “Last year, I wasn’t as successful with reaching my New Year’s resolution as I wanted to be. What are some steps I should take to be sure I’m successful this year?” –Laura W.

Q: It’s time once again to get those New Year’s resolutions in full swing. Whether you finally kick some bad habits, build the life of your dreams, or you simply need to shed a few holiday pounds – you’ll likely need a plan. Today we will review four key elements to ensure you leap forward in 2016 by living exactly as planned!

Diet and exercise  

I know it’s very basic but I assure you it sets the tone for the entire year. You’ve likely heard Benjamin Franklin's quote at some point, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Adopting this mantra in my own life has meant living energetically and enthusiastically. Planning meals and exercise routines ensures consistent energy for tackling your goals this year.

Let me ask: Have you come across studies on decision making and improper nutrition? Believe me, they exist and the results are astounding. Diet and exercise can improve decision making in moments where hesitation means the difference between success and failure. If you feel great about yourself from proper diet and exercise, you’re likely to execute decisions confidently in the moments that matter. Whether you hire a nutritionist or research on your own – dial in your diet! Whether you head to Anytime Fitness in Winter Park or sweat it out in the garage – dial in your exercise routine!

Find and use a productivity system  

A productivity system guards against the unknown twists and turns life offers. Additionally, it becomes a failsafe against, well, yourself! There’s infinite value in mapping out steps for important areas in your life. A problem most people have is they only map out one area – most commonly job related – but neglect other equally important areas. At the end of the year you want progress on all important areas. So whether it’s for your job, health, finances, personal development, or the combination of some or all of these, having a productivity system ensures consistent progress towards your goals.

Personally I get my money’s worth (and then some) from the use of OmniFocus. My collective achievements last year trumped those in years past from my adoption of this system. It worked for me, however, it’s important to find what works for you. Perhaps it’s David Allen’s “Getting Things Done” system or a combination of apps, software, or even pen and paper. The point is to find something and use it!

Get specific, like really, really specific  

Have you heard of the Reticular Activating System? It’s an important brain function we all possess. In a nutshell, this system allows you to filter out information to avoid complete sensory overload. When you get really, really specific you activate this system. It’s like the phenomenon of buying a new car and suddenly realizing everyone has your car! Why is that? Since you are now focused on that model guess what magically appears everywhere!

If you want a similar phenomenon to occur or want to experience what it’s like to be lucky in life, then get specific. Map out your goals in grave detail. Then become laser focused on them. Review them daily to keep them top of mind. Suddenly you will begin seeing connections in all areas of your life relating to your goals. And trust me when I say it comes out of thin air. You may even feel as though the universe finds ways to lay before you all things capable of aiding in your goal achievement. Don’t believe me? Just try it – I dare you!

Focus on who you need to become and not just what you want  

Just about everyone has a list of things they desire. Things like a dream house, car, spouse, vacation, or high-paying job – they could describe them effortlessly. And though specificity as we covered is important, it’s only one side of the equation. I once heard Jim Rohn say, “Success is something you attract by the person you become,” and I can tell you this nugget of wisdom restructured my way of thinking. So as you’re mapping out the things you desire, equally focus on who you need to become to attract these things. Make changes to yourself and your circumstances will change, but only change your circumstances and you risk simply staying the same.

This year make an effort to identify characteristics you need to attract the success you desire. Work on them daily and don’t be impatient in your evolution either. If you get stuck, identify successful individuals in your circle of influence and take note of their characteristics. Before you think I’m asking you to copy someone, that’s not the case. Be you, and be authentic, but search for characteristics that will help you leap forward.

Let’s go

Now it’s time to leap! You can make this year better than all of your previous years combined. Keep in mind it all starts and ends with you. Combine these elements and live out your best year yet. I’m on the edge of my seat as I anticipate your leap year!

Shawn Wenner is a personal development and business coach who has helped hundreds of individuals improve their personal and professional lives. Contact Shawn at [email protected] for personal coaching, consulting, or hire to hire him as your next keynote speaker. Also, to get your fitness and nutrition related questions answered by a certified personal trainer, or for a free personal training session, call us at 321-972-5833 or email [email protected].