Did you know there is only 1,2,3....(counting on my fingers).... OMGosh, 9 weeks until 2020! Aghhhhhh!
Its the time of year for new years resolutions, new beginnings and of course post Christmas diets! Eeek!
Does the thought of new years resolutions and goals settings make you cringe to your core?
That's probably because we as humans have a tendency to set these elaborate (and often unachievable) goals but don't really have the tools or knowledge and more often than not the support to follow through.
The other challenge we face, our brains are literally wired to protect us from discomfort, so it actively works us. When we decide to change something or do better, our brain red flags it and says "oh shes not going to like this, it usually ends in tears and chocolate binges, I am going to get her out of it". So it makes you as uncomfortable as possible, and will highlight every reason under the sun why you cant do it. It is so smart it can even work with your body to make you sick to get you out of the oncoming discomfort. That's precisely why people who don't like their job can tend to get sick more often, the brain is working with the body to get them as far away from the discomfort as possible. It stems right back to the fight of flight responses we needed in the cave-woman days.
So how do you rewire your brain so it stops doing that?
I am so glad you asked because its quite simple, but requires daily and habitual practice to make it happen.
It takes 21 days to develop new neural pathways. Neural pathways, comprised of neurons connected by dendrites, are created in the brain based on our habits and behaviours. As we participate in new activities, we are training our brains to create new neural pathways. The pathways get stronger with repetition until the behaviour or way of thinking is the new normal.
It may have taken a lifetime to develop your current habits, but yay, it only takes 21 days to change them. WOOP!
If you want to get a jump on your 2020 new years resolutions, now is the time to start rewiring your brain so it allows you to succeed!
I am going to give you 2 simple activities to do as part of your daily routine.
1st activity - The 21 day happiness challenge - created by one of my favourite positive psychologist - Shawn Achor.
Every morning when you get up, while you are having you coffee or tea, do the following;
Write down 3 things you are grateful for from the last 24 hours
Write one sentence or paragraph about a positive experience you have had in the last 24 hours (these 2 things teach your brain to start scanning the world for the good).
10 minute meditation - you can download Smiling Mind or Headspace app for guided meditation, or you can simply look out the window and focus on the birds. (this helps reset your nervous system and reduces stress responses).
Exercise, go for a walk, stretch, jump rope, Anything. Even a few minutes if you are short on time. (this teaches your brain that your behaviour matters - you get out what you put in).
1 random act of kindness. Send someone an encouraging message, buy someone a coffee, etc.
The benefits of this alone is that your brain at positive is significantly more productive, accurate, creative and will see more opportunity, than if it is negative, stressed or even neutral.
Now you may well not have time for all of it, but you most certainly will have time for 1,2,3 ad 5 it will take you 15 minutes. I found when I got up 30 mins earlier to do this I actually had more energy and am refreshed even more than the extra sleep would have given me.
2nd activity - the change your habits, change your life activity.
Here you just need to make some changes to every day activities so your brain starts to get comfortable and familiar with change.
Here are some of mine you can use or find your own;
Peg the washing out from right to left rather than left to right
Do your shopping in the opposite direction
Drive to work a different way
Change your morning routine, ie shower first breakfast later.
This forces your brain to engage and get out of auto pilot where it loves to be in its comfort zone. Doing smaller, less threatening things like this will help your brain cope with the bigger things, like new years resolutions.
See how simple it is? It's not easy to be consistent and intentional about this but is sure is simple.
You wont believe the positive impact this will have on every aspect of your life and reaching your potential.
Go get em girls! :-)
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