Blue Monday
Yes it's that time again. It's blue monday, or the most depressing day of the year. In fact, it is the third Monday in January and that seems to be the most depressing day. If you feel the same way then I have some tips for you
Blue monday
But first this. Why is it actually the most depressing day that blue monday. That seems to be because people are now finding out that they are not going to meet their goals. Most people have already started smoking again, eating too much or other things they had resolved not to do in 2013.
Well, that's how it goes every year, right? I also hear around me that it's basically all the same as last year. Well not with everyone fortunately. Some people just bang on and that is the intention.
How do you just bang on
What's important to realize is that when you pick up a habit, you don't have to wait a year until you can quit it again. Sounds logical, but some people are completely stuck in the idea that it can only be done on Jan. 1, and if that doesn't work out, never mind....
Not helpful. Just stop or start again doing whatever it is you really want to do. Willpower alone is often not enough so here some tips:
Tell others
When you tell others you create social pressure. We often do more for others than we do for ourselves, and that pressure can help ensure that we do follow through.
See it for yourself
Create an image for yourself that you will see the behavior you want to do in front of you. You see yourself, as it were, already doing what you want to do now. In this way you train your brain to the result you want to achieve.
Create pain and pleasure
Consider for yourself what would happen if you did this for another year, did it for 5 years, did it for 10 years. What would happen then. Imagine that for a moment.
In addition, you think the same but in terms of the positive consequences if you stopped for, say, one year, stopped for 5 years or stopped for 10 years. I also call this the donkey principle. The principle of the stick and the carrot. The pain and the pleasure.
You can also take a self-hypnosis course to start achieving your goals faster and program yourself to get the results you want.
Goal setting
Setting a goal for yourself is just right on such a day. It refocuses and it re-energizes you. Make a goal not only for a year, but also for a quarter, a month, a week and even a day.
What will be your goal this day? I'm curious though...