Every year, many of us make resolutions to improve our lives in some way. We promise ourselves that we will finally lose weight, get organized, or take up a new hobby.
Unfortunately for too many of us women, these resolutions often set us up for failure instead of success.
Why is that?
Well, aside from the main reasons we typically associate with goal-setting failure, such as:
- setting unrealistic expectations for ourselves
- not creating a solid plan for success
- forgetting to celebrate small victories along the way
- believing we just aren’t meant to achieve those goals (i.e. Impostor syndrome)
One of the biggest, invisible obstacles standing in the way of many women achieving their New Year’s resolutions is simply their level of energy.
You’re Not Unmotivated or Lazy. You’re Just Exhausted.
When we start off a New Year, we’re often highly optimistic.
Think about it – you’ve just spent some time off from work with the people you love, you’ve had time to recharge your batteries and have a plan in place for how you’re going to achieve your dreams.
You have the energy and space to tackle your personal goals, and so you kick off the new year with enthusiasm and vigor.
But then reality hits – maybe you’re juggling a demanding job, motherhood, taking care of your home, and trying to make time for yourself.
So, before you know it, all of that excitement and optimism has been replaced with exhaustion and doubt.
Suddenly, you’re too tired to dedicate energy to achieving your resolutions, and you find yourself feeling like a failure.
As women, we often tend to blame ourselves when we’re unable to make progress on our goals. We tell ourselves we’re unmotivated or lazy, when the real issue is often something else entirely.
We’re exhausted.
Most of us are incredibly busy; juggling a job and/or family, with very little time for self-care or restorative activities like exercise, meditation and even just a few minutes of quiet “me-time”.
This lack of energy takes a toll on our ability to stay focused, make decisions and even develop the willpower necessary to power through those difficult periods that come with achieving any goal.
So, if you’re struggling to make progress on your New Year’s resolutions, don’t beat yourself up. It’s not that you’re lazy or unmotivated. You just don’t have the systems in place to ensure you have the energy to make things happen consistently.
The Mental Trap: Focusing Too Much On Achieving
When it comes to goal setting, we tend to focus too much on doing, and not enough on resting.
We think we should be able to just push ourselves hard and achieve whatever we set out to do, without allowing for rest or recovery. And partly to blame for this is the way we talk about success in today’s modern age – especially on social media.
We glorify the hustle, working long hours and sacrificing sleep and other healthy habits under the false belief that this is what it takes to have success. Conversely, we almost never hear about how much rest successful people take, or how they make space in their lives for self-care and relaxation.
But the truth is, working hard without taking time to rest and recover will only get you so far. To make lasting change, you need to be well-rested and have consistent energy.
Rest and Recovery are NOT a Luxury (Car Analogy)
Now, I know what you’re thinking – “rest and recovery is a luxury! I don’t have enough time for that! I’ve got kids / my career / a business!”
I get it. Restorative activities can seem like a luxurious indulgence when you’re already short on time. But, the truth is rest and recovery are not a luxury – they’re a necessity.
Think about your car – you wouldn’t expect your car to run continuously on empty, nor would you expect it to keep running smoothly if you didn’t schedule regular maintenance and tune-ups. If you did continue to run your car without any maintenance, it would eventually break down – and you’d have to pay a mechanic a hefty fee to get it all fixed up.
It’s the same with your body and mind – without rest, you won’t be able to perform at your best; mentally or physically. If you continue to push yourself without allowing for recovery, eventually your mind and body will break down – and you’ll be paying for expensive therapy (both mental and physical) to get yourself fixed up.
Prioritise Rest Just As Much As You Prioritise Your Goals
Don’t wait until you’re exhausted to take time for yourself. Take preventative measures and make a plan to integrate restorative activities into your daily life.
Focus on prehab rather than rehab.
And take your downtime just as seriously as you do your uptime.
It’s often said that if you fail to plan, you plan to fail – and that’s exactly what will happen if you don’t make rest a priority. You can set all the goals you want, but if you’re too exhausted to make consistent progress, you’ll find yourself stuck in the same spot for a very long time.
Instead of waiting to feel completely overwhelmed, stressed out and exhausted to book a holiday, schedule your holidays in advance. Instead of waiting to feel completely burnt out or to feel your back ache from slouching forward all the time, schedule regular massages or spa days in advance.
Not All Rest Is Equal
Now, for those of you who do schedule in restorative activities – good on you! You’re way ahead of the game.
But, here’s something to consider: not all rest is equal.
False ‘Rest’
Firstly, if you’re spending your downtime scrolling through social media, watching TV or mindlessly snacking on junk food, then this isn’t true rest. It might take your mind off things for a bit, but it won’t give you the same type of restorative benefit that doing something more active or creative will.
Individual Differences With Rest and Recovery
Secondly, the way you rest and recharge isn’t always the same as someone else. Someone might find yoga or silent meditation restorative, while someone else might find walking in nature or going for a swim to be the most restorative activity for them.
It could be that you already regularly exercise, but the foods you’re eating or the amount of sleep you’re getting aren’t optimal for you. Or, it could be that your environment isn’t conducive to restorative activities – it could be too much noise, or a lack of natural daylight.
It’s all about figuring out what works best for you and your situation – given the demands you have in your lifestyle, as well as your individual preferences.
Find Out How You Personally Recharge Best (Free!)
Most women struggle when it comes to finding the right balance for them between work, life and their health – in a way that works specifically for them. And it doesn’t help that there are so many conflicting messages out there between all the influencers, ‘experts’ and the plethora of ‘one-size-fits-all’ exercise/diet programs.
That’s why we offer a FREE 45-minute Energy Optimisation Session. We believe in helping women find the best strategies for their lifestyle so that they can make lasting changes and truly thrive.
During this call with one of our team, you’ll:
- Learn the 5 Energy Batteries we all have and how they recharge differently
- Discover which batteries are holding you back most at the moment
- Formulate a customized 90-day action plan to optimise your energy and start living life on your own terms
I promise you this is something that you don’t want to miss out on. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, book in your free 45-minute Energy Optimisation Session today, and start taking the steps towards resetting your energy so that you can feel reinvigorated and recharged in no time
Best of luck!
Jen