Super Starter, Crappy Finisher
I've been reminded time and again how great I am at starting things, but how lousy I am at finishing, or even continuing. I'm good when it's fresh and new and it's a challenge, but when it comes to sticking to it, I usually need someone goading me on (egging me on?), or it drops off my radar, I don't continue/finish, and all is for naught once again.
How do you continue and finish?
Take exercise for instance. I started going on runs with a friend and stopped when I almost had an asthmatic attack. I started going on walks, and stopped when Gillian didn't remind me. I started doing pushups and situps, and my elbow starts acting up - which is why I'm having surgery on Tuesday (the 29th). I'm not feeling much right now.
I'm going to try once again, but how do I continue? I wrote things down and I am going to check them off, but what will make me make another list tomorrow? When it gets hard, how do I keep myself from retreating and hiding?
"Hard work, and discipline" - I thought I was good at these, but am I? I get my work done, but I'm not as efficient as I want to be.
It's late, and I'm on painkillers, so I probably shouldn't be writing. Maybe one of the things I'll do for myself as a list item, is make a schedule and try to stick to that. Hmm, that sounds like a good idea.
Here's to Day 1.
November 22nd, 2011 - 13:03
That’s a tough one. A lot of us lack stick-to-it-tiveness. I once went 40 days (Okay, so it was Lent) without eating any kind of sweets (candy, cookies, anything fun.) The only thing that kept me going was that once I got through the first few days, there was something inside me that kept telling me not to blow it. It was a pride thing. Also, I was noticeably losing weight at a time when I really needed to.
I manage to stick to a reasonable exercise routine for the same reasons. I get into a routine. I feel good. I’m fairly happy with what I see in the mirror. If I quit, I start noticing extra baggage and it hurts my pride. That’s not to say I don’t give myself a break now and then – even a few days in a row – but I get back into routine before I completely fall off the wagon.
So I guess my method is that I guilt myself into sticking with it.
November 22nd, 2011 - 21:07
Maybe starting out a little easier?