We’re in week of 52 of 2016, and you likely have a voice in your head pestering, “you really ought to pick some goals for the new year. You’ve got to improve yourself! This is the time for a fresh start.”
You may even get pumped up. You’re feeling refreshed and excited and ready to embrace new growth. You make a list:
-“I will get up early and become super productive before I even eat breakfast!”
-“I will read a new book every 7 days!”
-“I will go to yoga every Tuesday night!”
The intentions are certainly exciting. But psychologically you’re taking the approach of the hare, rather than the tortoise. You’re risking the age old burn out, ya know, come January 19th.
Why? Because you’re commanding yourself to change behaviors. That inner dialogue isn’t meeting your need for autonomy. You’re throwing logs on the fire, when you need to gently nurturing the kindling.
Instead, try a quick flip of language:
-“Will I get up early and become super productive before I eat breakfast…?”
-“Will I read a new book every 7 days…?”
-“Will I go to yoga every Tuesday night…?”
Ask your rhetorical questions a few times throughout the day, or the week, or the year, and let them ruminate.
It just might build some sustainable, intrinsic motivation.
Cheers,
Joel
