The ONE Skill You Need To Lose The Weight (And Keep It Off For Good!)
The overarching skill required to reach and maintain any goal is GRIT! Yes, grit is a skill and I’m going to share creative ideas and strategies to help you become more GRITTY. Grit helps us handle all of life’s challenges, so by developing this skill, we become happier, more confident, and UNSTOPPABLE in reaching our goals.
How do we know if we’re lacking grit? Do you give up when things get tough? Do you get stuck in certain ways of thinking that you know aren’t useful for you? Do you overreact when difficulty arises? According to some psychologists, success is not a matter of IQ or talent; what sets high achievers apart is GRIT- the ability to persist in difficult situations. Grit is about courage, resolve, and strength of character. GRIT allows us to tolerate discomfort and achieve the rewards of accomplishment that require effort. GRIT is key to doing the hard things that are required for success!
If you’re lacking GRIT, don’t fret….because GRIT can be learned by training our brains. We can train our brains to: relax, keep perspective, look for the positive, solve problems, embrace uncertainty and challenges, become assertive, and connect with others.
Grit isn’t about avoiding potholes; rather, it’s about gaining traction and moving ahead when the going gets tough.
Strategies to develop GRIT:
Conquer the “don’t wanna’s”. Think of times you did things you didn’t want to do but were in your long-term best interest. How did you feel after you exercised your GRIT?
Remind yourself “practice pays”. Think about the times you practiced skills and grew in abilities and thus enjoyment of something.
Embrace hard work because it results in feeling great! Remind yourself of the feelings you have after you work really hard at something.
Talk back to yourself. Pay attention to the thoughts in your head that range from, “I got this” to “No Way- this is too hard”. Learn to be the voice of encouragement to the latter voice in your head.
Think about someone who is gritty on the inside. What do you think is special about them?
Notice GRIT around you. When you notice GRIT, it helps you build your own supply.
Challenge your brain! Push yourself to learn hard information.
Calm your body down through deep breathing.
Look for TRUE and HELPFUL thoughts.
Remind yourself of your GRIT through mantras (example: I can do hard things, I am strong and capable, I love a good challenge)
Learn to catch “negative automatic thoughts” based on hopelessness, overgeneralization, and taking things personally.
See failure and mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow.
Practice gratitude. Notice awesome moments you’ve created for yourself and good and kind acts by others.
Look at situations based on facts and evidence- how things really are. When we start seeing situations according to our emotions, rather than the facts, we lose perspective and start acting against our own long-term best interest.
Take good care of your body by sleeping, exercising, and eating nourishing food. Take good care of your brain health by avoiding electronics and information/ activity that isn’t useful.
Spend time outdoors to build energy, concentration, and focus for when you need it.
Use your senses to feel steady, calm, and back in control when you become unbalanced.
Remember your strengths, what you value, and what you’re creating for yourself at all times.
Respond to negative emotion according to that identity and vision.
Use humor to relax, gain perspective, and connect to your BEST self.
The more you use these strategies, the more your GRIT will grow. Building GRIT is a lifelong practice that helps us accomplish our dreams AND enjoy the journey!
Remember, your grittiest self is also your most joyful self. This skill is worth learning- and it’s the central focus of my weight loss program! Schedule a complimentary strategy session to get started on your journey of empowerment and freedom today.