Trying everything and still not seeing results? Here are 3 reasons why you’re not getting results and five ways to change that today.
Often, I hear the saying, “I’ve tried everything and I still can’t seem to see results.” Who am I kidding, I’ve even found myself saying it a time or two. I know where I want to go and I can see it, even at moments taste it, yet I never seem to manage to get over the hump.
Some say this is the exact definition of insanity, doing the same thing over and over yet expecting different results. Most days it feels like insanity when you’re on this vicious cycle. But I think for most of us, we make change harder than it needs to be.
On the podcast, I give you three reasons it’s taking so long to reach your goals and what to do about it. Click to listen in. Don’t forget to grab your free download to help you unpack today’s episode and take action.
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The weakest link
As they say, “you’re only as strong as your weakest link.” In the case of change could very well be correct. People are often so focused on the same things and tweaking what has already been tweaked a thousand times.
But what would happen if we zoomed out and away from what it is we’re desperately trying to achieve and look at the big picture? What would you see? Maybe a new angle? A different approach? An entire chain of “things” working together to create change?
That’s what I think you would see, health, your goals, your dreams, whatever you’re set to change in a new way. Now I know, we’ve been taught to zoom in, to get specific and box each and everything in a new category. But I believe differently.
Take for instance our body; it’s not just your cardiovascular system, or respiratory system or endocrine system. It’s not only estrogen or testosterone or a lousy gut microbiome. Sure all of that matters, but they’re all just links in a very long chain.
So maybe the reason you can’t seem to change is that you’ve zoomed in and have missed the most critical view. The view of the entire chain. As the saying states, you are only as strong as your weakest link. So let me entice you with a new way to create change.
strengthen what is weak
Strengthen what is weak. Now I know this seems like a silly approach and mostly common sense. But 99% of the time when someone comes to me looking for weight loss, they only send me a diet log. They know exactly what they ate, how much, what time and some even know the weight of the food they ate.
But never do I get the full picture. What I mean is how healthy their relationships are, how nourished their soul is. What about movement, sleep patterns, work environment, time away and happiness levels? And if we break down health, how to change and achieve lasting health, we know that diet is just a small part of the picture.
So why is this? Why do we tend to put all of our eggs in one basket and how do we create lasting change?
For most of us, it has been found that we invest the majority of our time and energy in strengthening the parts of our chain that are already strong. It’s easy to do what we know how to do, what comes with ease. These strong links are where we feel comfortable and confident. We can operate safely within the bounds of who we think we are and what we know.
The problem lies precisely here. No matter how much we strengthen the links in our chain that are already strong, if there’s still a weak link the chain as a whole isn’t stronger. It can break just as quickly.
the solution
The better approach, of course, would be to focus our efforts on strengthening the weak link. To let go of what you’ve already strengthened and revert your focus to what needs some work.
To believe and know that 20% of our efforts can make 80% of the difference. Just a little bit of attention on your weak links will produce a huge benefit. On the other hand, even relatively massive efforts to strengthen the links that are already strong won’t lead to much improvement.
Of course, this requires us to step out of our concept of “self” what we know about our health and challenge who we are and what we tell ourselves. Inside this download, I’ve laid out exactly how to write a new story – a story that will create change – and start working on the weakest link.
It’s not about tweaking what is already strong but adjusting your efforts to where you lie weak. To shine a light on the dark corners of our health and work to bring light to what needs a little life. Take note – this isn’t something that happens overnight – it’s a life work. But one that can change everything if taken seriously.
1. Focus on your story
We act based on what we tell ourselves. It may seem trivial, that the quick belly grab in the mirror this morning made any difference, but it did. Just like the time you brushed off the compliment your co-worker gave you. Our actions are a matter of our emotions, and our emotions are derived based on what we think {our subconscious} not our reality.
To uncover your weakest link you have to know what you believe about yourself and change your story. To make it one of truth rather than lies and create a way to stand firm on it. Take some time {all inside the free download} to write your current story and how you can make it come from a place of truth rather than lies.
2. Focus on the 20%
As mentioned, it’s not about doing it all and being it all but rather focusing attention on the one thing that can drive home momentum. Often this is the weakest link, where you can input 20% effort and see 80% difference.
Uncover what that could be in your life. Ask yourself, what would create the snowball effect where you put in half the effort and see over twice as many results? If you’re crushing your diet, maybe you need to work on relational life? Take some time to go out and enjoy food with good company. Perhaps you’re an avid runner, but work stress takes over. Take time to sort through a new schedule that helps eliminate unnecessary stress.
Change your focus, change your progress, change your results.
3. change your environment
Statistically, the easiest way to create lasting change is to improve your environment. We are creatures of habit and in the wrong environment can fall victim to the same old habits if we’re not careful. Not to mention, willpower is a fleeting source to depend on. So rather than fighting against the environment change your environment to accommodate what you’re trying to improve.
Take the candy off your desk at work. Stop buying snacks you can’t say no to – even if they are for the kids. Skip the nightly Netflix show that keeps you up too late making the snooze button more appealing in the morning. Evaluate your life and see what things you could change out to make change come easy.
4. have a plan
Wouldn’t it be nice if what we wanted just happened? I mean who doesn’t want the quick fix? A pill or potion to fix what ails us. A dream right? Given that we’re not there yet, and most likely never will be we have to start to trust the process and enjoy the journey.
Most likely you aren’t magically going to be excited to jump out of bed to go for the run; you wouldn’t naturally push the cake to the back of the refrigerator to grab the bag of baby carrots. But there are things we can do, and that starts with planning. Write it out, schedule it, enlist a buddy, tell others – do anything and everything you can to make this a success.
You have to be proactive rather than reactive.
5. master the restart
Finally, as hard as this one is, I must tell you the truth – there is no such thing as perfection. No perfect diet, workout plan or life because it’s just that, life and the inevitable always seems to come crashing down. So forget the “all-or-none” mentality and wake up every day to be 1% better.
Little changes over time with the right mindset make all the difference.
Know you will slip up, mess up, fall off and lose interest. Rather than beating yourself up about it and losing precious days of your life waiting to “restart” learn to master the restart.
The restart as in seconds, minutes or within the hour of falling off you have a solution to get back on. Say for instance you polish off the can of Pringles {I mean it states that on the box – once you pop you just can’t stop} mix up a green smoothie and commit at that moment to making the best of it.
You hit snooze four times and miss your workout slot entirely. Take your shoes and slip them on for a walk over your lunch hour. Have the default, a rhythm that you can fall back on rather than waiting for the perfect moment.
news flash
There is nothing perfect about life. Instead of waiting, trying desperately to be perfect and jumping on board with the all-or-none, look at life moment to moment. Have a plan to fall back onto but don’t quit living just because you think you have to.
Health is more than a set of numbers – it’s about the joy of life. Experiences, adventures, relationships and nurturing everything in between. Take time to get yourself on a path that makes sense for you. If it isn’t realistic and enjoyable, there is no way you will ever stick to it.
Use this free guide to help you create the new story, a story founded in truth. Then make a plan to take the action you’ve been missing. I promise it’s never as complicated as we make it seem.
other helpful resources
If you’re looking for more information on changing your mind, check out these podcasts from the latest mindset series! They will rock your world. Enjoy!
- Soul Food: The Faith and Health Connection
- The Science to Break Bad Habits and Build New Ones
- Do You Have a Health Personality?
- How to Get Rid of What’s Holding You Back
- Do Your Thoughts Influence Your Health?
- The Mind/Body Connection: How Your Emotions Affect Your Health
- 5 Mindset Shifts to Change Your Health
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