If working hard on your health goals hasn’t led to the results you want, you may feel frustrated. That is completely normal! A little self-compassion can go a long way in helping you move forward on your path to success.
Self-compassion means being kind toward ourselves, especially when we are struggling. Here are some ways to use self-compassion to help you reach your goals:
Give Yourself a Break
Often, the person we are hardest on is our own self. Negative self-talk or feeling “not good enough” from time to time is a normal part of being human. But these thoughts can hurt you in the long run. Using self-compassion can help you accept where you are right now and keep your focus on moving forward.
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” — Thomas Edison
Notice Negativity
Self-compassion starts by noticing when you criticize yourself. Perhaps you’re strongly attached to negative self-talk. After all, you’ve been telling yourself these things for years. It’s difficult to give up both the habit and the belief. Since it’s normal for negative thoughts to creep into our heads sometimes, try noticing the thoughts without judgment.
Rethink Negative Thoughts
Take a moment to think about how you judge yourself. Being aware of negative thoughts and challenging them can help you break this pattern of thinking. It can also help you take a more balanced approach. Stop yourself before negative thoughts take over. Instead, notice them, write them down, and put them to the test.
What’s the evidence for this? Is there evidence to the contrary? Is it always true? Am I looking at the whole picture?
Respond to Your Inner Critic
Now that you have recognized your negative thoughts, write down what you might say to yourself the next time these thoughts come up.
Instead of:
If only I were more successful. Everyone is doing so much better than me. I’ll never get there.
Try:
If I continue to work toward my goals, I will be successful. Everyone has challenges. I am focused, doing what I can, and I will persevere. I will get there. I am a good person.
Broaden Your Focus and Remember Your WHY
When we get too focused on reaching our goal, we can lose track of why we wanted to get there in the first place.
Reconnect to why you are taking this journey:
- To develop healthy habits
- To make lasting changes
- To feel better
- To improve your overall health
- To experience major life events with loved ones
- To have the freedom to keep doing the activities you love
There will be bumps along the road. However, when you practice self-compassion during these difficult moments, you will be more likely to achieve your goals and feel better along the way.
Get Support
Encouragement from others can make it easier to reach your personal health goals. Friends and family members can help you along the way. They may even want to join you.