Huge changes start with good systems

Published: Sat, 12/30/17

Hi

Ever ironed a shirt with ironing board the wrong way round or a distracted in some way? 

You miss a bit if not careful, right?

We have process we follow, it is automatic and must happen in the right order or we miss a sleeve or a side.

How does your day go if you miss your alarm and have to rush out the house..forget stuff, have to grab a poorer choice of breakfast?

When instigating behaviour change we can speed up the process by setting up a system.
 
It's like a recipe when the end result is an improvement to your life.

  1. Take 5 minutes to think of that change your would like to make. 
  2. How can you create a step by step process that you follow to get you doing what you want to do?
  3. Write it down
  4. No...really, go get a pen and write it down
  5. Set alarm to go off when you need to do it
  6. Start step one, then move to two...and so on...
  7. With daily habits, do it every day

It is about just getting started

An example that a client and I set up for going for run as soon as she gets home:

1) Hang up hand bag
2) Grab 'run system' notes (these are hanging on the peg the hand bag goes on)
3) Put on run kit
4) Foam roll and mobilise
5) Put on shoes
6) Drink water
7) Grab keys
8) Open door
9) Deep breath
10) Walk, then run for as far as you can..

This is really simple, however by setting our conscious, problem solving, brain onto a chain of events that keeps it busy while we get it done it stops it finding excuses to not do that run!

As the same time, our innate drive to complete a set of tasks will also kick in and get it even more 'done'.

Make the steps as detailed as you want, in fact the more detailed the better. 

Each step complete is a success in itself so can really propel us forward as we gain momentum.

Systems + deliberate practice + consistency = habit formed

Leave no scope for excuses or energy wasted on negative thoughts by keeping that beautiful brain of yours busy! 

It is human nature (and one of our innate survival tactics) to actively look for problems, threats or things to fix and make our environment safe.

Have this hold you back...or work in your favour? Just as we have to keep a toddler busy or mischief occurs, so our brains will hunt for things and can go down the wrong path unchecked!

Get really excited about that system waiting for you to start when it is time. Be prepared and organised and congratulate yourself a ridiculous amount with each step.

Your subconscious, habit forming brain is always watching, so these steps can create an automated positive reinforcement of the journey you are on.

It is the ultimate step towards all these healthy new life habits becoming just 'what you do'.

Your health is a result of your lifestyle 

Add systems to keep those little moments where we falter minimalized

Step...by...step,

J

James Chandler
Personal Trainer
07870 262741
www.eatwellandworkout.com


'To inspire, educate and support our clients on their journey to better health'