We’ve all set goals before, whether it’s to lose weight, save money, or get a promotion. Sometimes we succeed and sometimes we fail. But what if I told you that setting goals might not be the most effective way to achieve lasting results?
I’ve struggled with weight loss my entire life. But it wasn’t until my youngest daughter was diagnosed with celiacs (a severe gluten allergy) that I realized the power of forming habits. As a new celiacs dad, I absentmindedly handed her a cupcake at a party. She took two steps and stopped to ask “Dad, does this have gluten?” When I realized my mistake and told her yes it was gluten, she set the cupcake down and walked away. Watching my 5 year old effortlessly say no to a cupcake made me realize that I needed to change my identity from an overweight guy with weight loss goals, to a guy with an “allergy” to sugars, breads and pastas.
By adopting a new mindset, I was forced to form lasting habits instead of setting “SMART goals”. Six months later, I had lost 75lbs and lowered my A1C to 5.8! Instead of setting a goal to eat healthier, I identified as a health conscience eater. This shift in mindset allowed me to make sustainable changes to my diet and lifestyle.
So next time you’re tempted to set a goal, consider forming habits instead. Habits create lasting results, while goals are often forgotten once achieved. Identify as the person you want to be and let your habits guide you towards success.
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