When setting goals for your business, exercise, or even hobbies, it’s easy to get caught up in the “I CAN DO THIS” mindset and set goals that are anything but good for your well-being. Sometimes, they are downright harmful! In this blog, I explore the importance of self-awareness in goal setting when balancing the desire to push yourself toward growth and the essential need to nurture your own well-being.
A Double-Edged Sword of Determination
Push, Push, Push! I can do this!
Do you tend to PUSH through your challenges and obstacles? Do you ever do so to your own detriment?
Sometimes, ‘pushing’ through a challenge leads to growth and fulfillment – that sense of “I can do this!” You may feel empowered after pushing yourself to achieve a goal, even if it’s staying up until 3 AM to finish a client project.
However, when pushing through, no matter what becomes a habit, it can negatively affect your health and well-being. You might begin to experience more pain, more symptoms, and more fatigue.
You might even find you’re struggling to show up to your work or important relationships with focus and with your full attention. In other words, it’s fun to ‘push’ ourselves until we simply can’t.
Accepting that we have limitations can be one of the hardest things we ever have to do. It can also be one of the most beautiful gifts you can ever give yourself!
Listening to Your Body for Self-Awareness in Goal Setting
Sometimes, the most loving thing we can do for ourselves is to step back and observe the impact our actions are having on our health. If you want to nurture your health and well-being, this level of self-reflection is critical when setting new goals or taking on new projects.
For example, in relation to setting new goals and resolutions for a new year or any time of year, ask yourself questions such as:
- Is pushing myself to exhaustion really helping me best serve my clients and my business, or am I missing opportunities from the constant fatigue?
- Is setting a goal to run 5 miles within the next 30 days a wise decision for my body if I haven’t run for 5 years?
- Do I really need to diet, or could I instead focus on ensuring my body receives the nutrition it needs to thrive?
- Is getting up at 5 AM to meditate, when I am not a morning person, am sleep deprived, and wake up with body pain every morning, really supporting my health, or would I benefit more from selecting a time that better aligns with my body‘s current sleep cycle?
Your Unique Health Journey
Your health journey is uniquely yours, impacting every area of your life, including your success at work or business. The actions you take to support your health and well-being should also be uniquely yours.
It’s essential to create sustainable habits that support the needs of your well-being. Doing so requires self-awareness in goal setting, self-compassion, and self-acceptance.
Build Sustainable Habits that support a Nurturing Relationship with Your Health
By cultivating awareness, reframing your narrative, and building sustainable habits, you can create a nurturing relationship with your health that empowers and enriches your life.
My recent article, “Transforming Your Relationship With Health – A Journey to Greater Well-Being,” published in Brainz Magazine, provides a foundation for nurturing this relationship with your health.
A Moment to Ponder
Take a moment to ponder: Is my relationship with my health genuinely healthy? This simple question is the first step towards building a nurturing relationship with your health. A healthier relationship with your health can gently guide you in making decisions that impact your well-being from a more balanced and compassionate approach.
Closing Thoughts
Achieving your goals does not require constantly pushing yourself beyond your limitations or into places of painful discomfort. By listening to your mind, body, and spirit and honoring your unique needs when setting goals, you are more likely to set goals that support your overall well-being.
Remember to be kind to yourself as you move forward in your health and business journey. Celebrate small victories and trust in the wisdom of your body. Your path to greater health, well-being, and success is uniquely yours – embrace it with compassion and mindfulness.
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