By Jill Schildhouse
Just do it.
There’s a reason Nike’s slogan has stood the test of time since 1988 — it’s a no-frills, action-oriented statement that applies to just about anything you’re contemplating doing.
The truth is, you’ve probably avoided learning to crochet, planting a vegetable garden, running a half marathon, or starting a new wellness program. Maybe you think you won’t have time, or you won’t be good. Or maybe you’re afraid of failure.
And you may be right — at least in the beginning. But over time, you’ll develop the habits and skills needed to succeed, possibly even thrive.
“So many people who crave change — whether it is losing weight, starting to write a book, doing a 5k, or changing their nutrition for the family — are afraid they will not complete the task,” says Jennifer Rulon, a 15X Ironman Triathlete, host of the Everyday Health Human podcast, and coach to other 50+ year-olds who are looking to find ways to approach the next stage of life. “Many people will fail before they even start due to self-sabotage.”
Here’s a step-by-step guide to pushing past the excuses and starting something new.
Get clear on your why. You must understand your purpose for starting a new task and feel a driving force to complete it. You’ve probably heard the saying, “If it’s important to you, you will make it happen. If it isn’t, you will make an excuse.” To stay motivated when the going gets tough, you have to believe that starting and accomplishing this task is important, meaningful, and will create a desired outcome— doing something just because your doctor advised it or a friend did it isn’t enough to keep you inspired for the long haul.
“To stay motivated when the going gets tough, you have to believe that starting and accomplishing this task is important, meaningful, and will create a desired outcome.”
Establish a game plan. Life is complicated, so reduce the negative effects of chaos by making a concrete plan. “Organizing life around your partner, kids, family, and boss is a great excuse for not doing something for yourself,” says Rulon. By setting “appointments” for your new habit or hobby in your calendar, you’re prioritizing it in your life — treat it just like a doctor’s appointment or big meeting, something you’d never cancel. This may require you to work ahead with your spouse to come up with a plan to tag-team childcare or household chores so that you’re on the same page and everything is covered.
Connect with a community. There are people just like you trying to accomplish the same thing you are — you just need to find them, so you can help each other celebrate wins and troubleshoot obstacles. For instance, many specialty gyms (think: yoga and Pilates studios or CrossFit facilities) foster incredible communities. “People who work out together gather outside the gym and keep each other accountable,” says Rulon. “If you normally go to an 8:30 class every day and you don’t show up, your friends in the class may reach out and check on you. You start developing relationships with the instructor or people in the class.” Virtual communities are also incredibly helpful, just do a quick search in Facebook groups on everything from “vegan cooking” to “crocheting for beginners” and you’ll find like-minded people to connect with and learn from.
Find an accountability coach. No matter what you’re starting, from a health journey to a new side hustle, having someone who has the knowledge to help you is key. “As a fitness/triathlon coach, I have had many coaches keep me accountable for many years — even a coach needs a coach,” says Rulon. “So many amazing people out there only want the best for you. You may have to dig for them, but they are out there.” Look for someone with expertise in what you’re doing, someone who’s already found success in it, because they know what it takes to get there and can help point the way.
Related: The Benefits of Having an Accountability Partner
Exercise some patience. Results aren’t going to happen overnight, so keep a realistic eye on the clock. “I have had many clients fight me the first couple weeks, and I have asked them to stay patient,” says Rulon, who urges clients to stick with it for at least 90 days, which is the amount of time needed to figure out your routines, habits, body, and mind. “Changing into that beautiful butterfly doesn’t happen overnight.” Looking back at where you started can help drive motivation, so she suggests journaling or documenting progress along the way.
Focus on building long-term habits. Gaining the knowledge now so that you can move forward with this healthy habit or hobby long-term will lead to sustainable success. “For example, many people start fad diets and lose weight but can’t sustain it because everything was pre-made for you and you didn’t cook,” says Rulon. Instead, you want to learn about healthy foods and how to shop for and prepare them — that way, you can always find success in your own kitchen and know what to order when you eat out. Apply this same philosophy to anything new and it’ll stay with you for life.
The most important thing to begin? Just do it. Today. Right now, in fact.
“Every day is a new opportunity for a fresh start, physically, mentally, spiritually, or emotionally,” says Rulon. “Every day, every hour, and every moment is something new for you.”
