SO THERE'S NO MAGIC PILL THAT GIVES YOU EVERYTHING YOU WANT IF YOU TAKE IT...BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN

YOU CAN’T GET WHAT YOU WANT OUT OF LIFE ANYWAY

One of the biggest complaints I hear from clients (and friends) is that the goal they want to achieve or change they're looking to create is just taking "too long".

They want that quick fix - essentially a magic pill -that will help them get results "right away". Hey I get it. Who wouldn't love to see instant results or an immediate payoff from their efforts? (I sure would!)

And these days there's so much emphasis on instant gratification that it’s no wonder that most people are looking for a quick fix to almost every problem in life. They've convinced themselves that if they could just “fix” that one thing, then the rest of life would become magically perfect also.

Sadly, there is no magic pill to fix that "one thing". And even if you do find a quick fix, it's only a matter of time before the same problem shows up all over again. Usually even worse than the first time. Real change requires time. And real solutions require real work. So if you're looking to create lasting change, you have to ditch the shortcut mentality and start focusing on long term results.

The truth is that short cuts are for those who think short term. And while short cuts may give you some short term results - they won't create sustainable changes over the long run. The only way to get lasting results - in any area of life - is by doing the work, facing the discomfort and replacing temporary fixes with permanent solutions.

Here are a few examples of actionable steps you can take right now to shift out of the shortcut mentality and start creating long term - and long lasting - results:

Enjoy the process just as much as the outcome.
Instead of falling in love with your intended results, learn to fall in love with the process of getting there. So for example, if the result you’re after is to lose 10 lbs, instead of falling in love with how you think you will look when you’re 10 lbs skinnier, fall in love with the fact that you’re feeding your body healthier foods, and that working out more is giving you increased energy and making you stronger each time you do it. If you go by the number on the scale or the size of your clothing, chances are you’ll feel discouraged and may even be tempted to quit if the numbers you’re seeing don’t match the ideal you created in your head. But if you learn to love the actions you’re taking to get to your intended result, you’re much more likely to stay on track and consistently take those actions which, over the long term, will lead to LASTING results - not just temporary ones.
Imagine yourself as the type of person who already has the results you want.
Change your inner identity to align with the type of person who accomplishes the goal you decide to set for yourself. So much of who we are and what we do is based on the type of person we identify as. And if we learn to identify as the type of person who’s capable of achieving a specific goal, we’re more likely to follow through on the actions that are needed to turn that goal into reality. Basically, if you see yourself as the type of person who already lives the life you want, you will naturally start doing more of the things that help you create that life. Going back to the dieting example, if your goal is to lose 10 lbs and keep it off, the best way to get there is by seeing yourself as the type of person who already is 10 lbs lighter and does the things that a person who is 10 lbs lighter would do. Maybe they’re the type of person that doesn’t eat out too often, gets enough sleep, gets movement in on a daily basis - and just enjoys taking good care of his/her body. If you can see yourself as being that type of person, you will do the things that are necessary to then become that person. If you can see it, you can believe it. And if you can believe it, you can create it.
Get support.
Whether it’s a good friend, a partner, family member or coach that has your back, make sure you have someone in your corner who is not only rooting for you, but also keeping you accountable. Even the most motivated of people will face obstacles, tread backwards and lose their drive from time to time. And when that happens, they turn to the people who will support them and get them back on track. Personally, I am super motivated most days but when I crash, I crash hard. During those times, I turn to my friends, coaches and mentors for support. And they have always helped me get back up. My friends and family have always encouraged me to keep going. My coaches have helped me create (and smash) goals by helping me reframe the things that were keeping me stuck which allowed me to move onward and upward. There is no such thing as an army of one - we all need support at times and being able to ask for it when you need it most can make all the difference in whether we make (or break) our goals.
Make it fun.
Anytime we make a process fun, our brain is less likely to see it as "work" and more likely to associate it with "fun". And the fact is, our brains are hardwired to seek pleasure and enjoyment. (I mean seriously, who wouldn’t pick having fun over doing chores?) Use this innate need to seek fun in your favor! Turn the process of reaching your goal into a game. Find joy in the accomplishments you make along the way - even the little ones because little wins add up to big wins over time. And the more fun you have along the way, the more likely you are to keep going!
Cut Yourself Some Slack.
Not all roads are straight. Some are slightly curved, some are brutally winding and some are steep and uphill. We may even encounter roadblocks along the way that require us to re-route our trip entirely. The road to accomplishing our goals can be much the same way. No matter how well we plan and prepare, there may be unexpected twists and turns along the way that slow our progress and, at times, even set us back. But just like we don’t stop driving when we run into a speed bump on the road, we can’t stop moving forward if we encounter an obstacle to our goals. We may need to re-route and come up with a new route to get us there, but it doesn’t mean we have to (or should) give up. Everyone faces setbacks but the people who make their goals a reality don’t beat themselves up over it, they simply acknowledge it happened and then keep moving forward anyway. They identify as a person who perseveres and because of that, they also treat themselves with the compassion that’s needed to keep persevering. Even if you don’t see yourself as someone who perseveres (yet), allowing yourself the permission to make mistakes along the way and treating yourself with compassion when you do will go a long way when the speed bumps and roadblocks start to show up.

And last but not least - find a path that works best for YOU. One that you can actually stay on over the long term. If the strategies your friends, family members or colleagues use to accomplish their goals don’t reflect who you are and don’t align with how you want to be, just don’t use them. It’s that simple. Instead, use the things that work for YOU and leave the rest behind- and that includes anything that I mentioned in this post that just doesn’t resonate with you. ;)

At the end of the day, only you will know what is working and what isn’t. By trying different things, you open yourself to more opportunities and options for success, but that doesn’t mean that all options will be right for you. So go with what feels good and then keep on going from there. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of putting one foot in front of the other. And as they say... even the journey of a thousand miles begins with just one step.

As always,
Afsheen

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