Face it Until you Ace it!
Accept that won’t be amazing at something the first time you try it!
It sounds obvious in theory, but it’s very easy to lose confidence and to avoid facing your challenges when you don’t feel like you’ve got it yet.
But that is the reason why you will keep going in circles with your habits, and your skills. You have to face them, and continue to do so over time to make those breakthroughs!
Dare to suck at it the first few times, but keep showing up! Have a growth mindset open to learning. Whether it’s exercising, choosing better eating habits, meditating or trying a new skill, the approach is similar.
Tips to face your challenges:
Set a plan
Get clear on what you are wanting to achieve, and how you are going to approach it, including actions you can check off weekly. Vague goals are going to get you nowhere.
For example, “Do more exercise” is extremely vague as a plan
If you instead break a plan down into targets, you will have something to aim for e.g
2x strength training sessions either at the gym or home
2x stretch sequences
2x walks
Take on small challenges
Most people fail because they take on a mountain. Break your big goals into small ones that are just outside your current comfort zone and ability. Then you can comprehend the stretch to achieve this and it will become your new comfort zone after a while!
Learn to rest, not quit
Being tired or overwhelmed can cause you to want to give up. Learn to prioritise time for rest and recovery and then show up again.
Take imperfect action
You don’t have to do your actions perfectly. You might miss actions in your plan, have a crappy week, just do what you can do within your ability. It all adds up!
Celebrate your progress
Pat yourself on the back for your little wins, no matter how big the achievement or just showing up, this positive reinforcement of facing your challenges will help your brain feel more confident about facing more.
Keep facing your challenges, and you will make incredible improvements! (And then find new challenges!)