Many times in the past we've all started something with good intentions, but over time the enthusiasm with which we started began to fade. We missed keeping our commitment once, then twice, and as time went on, it got easier and easier to fall away from the course we had set for ourselves. With some it may have been a diet, or an exercise program, or quitting smoking or drinking, or maybe it was reading books. We've all been there. So how do we keep that from happening the next time we decide something is important enough to warrant us changing our routine or behavior?
The first step is to decide how important this change is to us. Is it worth the effort it will take? Will it bring us to a better place? Will it help us to grow and change in the right direction? Is it connected to an important value? If it isn't attached to something we value, we'll quit when we're tired, or times get tough. Only by making the changes a priority will we be able to stay the course. What is your priority? Is it your health? Is it growth? Is it to learn something specific? Is it to improve relationships? Only you can decide what is of deep value to you and worth the effort of change.
Once you decide, there are two approaches. One is to plan out a game plan in detail with goal markers along the way - and it can work for some - but if you're trying to live a simple life, this may not be the best option. A second plan of action that marries well with simple living is to take baby steps every day in the direction of where you want to go. Maybe instead of planning a 45 minute workout 5 days a week, 3 days of cardio, 2 days of weights, etc. you could plan to walk instead of drive somewhere, or walk on your lunch hour, or even before you start your day. Maybe it's to take advantage of what you have where you are. Anything can be used as light weights while you're sitting at your desk, or sitting on a stability ball while on your laptop would help stabilize your core, you could even walk on a treadmill while watching television, if you're into watching television.
Maybe changing eating habits is important to you. You could cut back on breads and sugars, or reduce fatty dairy, or eat a few vegetarian meals a day. Maybe switching from soda pop to sparkling water with a touch of lemon or lime juice could be a good first step. If it's something easy to incorporate, you're more likely to stick with it.
Many people I know who want to read more but hate it set up "reading stations" with books that have short 1-1/2 page mini chapters or stories. They may leave books like that in the bathroom, beside their bed, on their desk (where they read a chapter in-between work/projects or every hour on the hour, for example). The creativity is endless.
The last thing I want to do is look back a year from now and think, "Wow, I was so serious about living a simple life, but here I am back to my old habits, wound up in knots. I guess it was just a phase at the time." What if instead the conversation in my head went more like this, "I'm so glad I decided to live a more simple life last year. I now have more time, money, rest, and stress. My relationships are quality ones, I'm doing more of what I love and less of what I hate. After a year, the changes have become easy daily habits. They're not a chore or effort anymore. I love where I'm at because I didn't quit."
Today's challenge is to simply stay true. True to what you value. True to your commitment. True to your priorities. True to yourself. Stay the course. Even if you take 2 steps forward and 1 step back every day, a year from now you'll still be 365 steps in the right direction! You can do whatever you decide is worth making a priority. Find an accountability partner, or someone to encourage you. Stay true.
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