Set the Bar Higher For Yourself to Start Crushing Your Goals

{Two Things Tuesday Vol. #11}

I tend to see two types of people in my nutrition coaching groups. Actually, let me clarify, this is how most people approach the group on day one.

Fortunately, if you decide to trust the process, believe me when I say I’ll tell you everything you need to know at the right time and solidify one change before moving on to another…BOOM (as my 6-year old would say) great things happen.

The Over Achievers

The first group of people are the ones who come in gung-ho, ready to do a full-on life makeover in just 6-weeks. Starting Monday, they’re going to trade their hamburger and french fry lunch for a giant salad and they’re ditching the nightly happy hour to hit up the gym every damn day. They’re ready to take on the world.

Sometimes the overachievers look at me like I have 10 heads when I suggest it’s okay to eat more. They laugh when I say we’re going to start by simply tracking our food and drinking more water. That’s it? That can’t possibly make a difference.

Usually the over achievers are the most fired up members until something gets in the way of their big plan. And something always seems to get in the way of our big plans, doesn’t it?

All of us tend to act surprised when we’re thrown off course. And sure, sometimes really crazy surprising things do throw off our plans. Usually though, I see clients get de-railed because of every-day things like more sports practices than imagined, sick kids home from daycare, late meetings at work, boredom with food choices, spontaneous social gatherings, free food in the work cafe, etc. These things really aren’t “surprising” when you think about it, are they? These things are real life life.

It’s much easier to keep going when life happens if you’re focused on making one change instead of one million. I promise.

The Toe Dippers

On the flip side, I see others who are just starting to dip a toe in the water when it comes to making healthier food choices. They’re nervous about changing their habits. They’re scared they’re going to have to be “perfect” to make any real difference in their health or body composition. They’re resistant to change.

When it comes down to it, they’re willing to make a few changes, but nothing too scary or different. Their current habits are like a security blanket and they’re not ready to give it up. Their fear of being uncomfortable prevents them from achieving their full potential. They’re capable of so much more than they think. They just need to set the bar higher.

Don’t worry – even if you identify with one of the two types of people above, you can change!

Goal Setting and Expectations

In my nutrition coaching groups we talk a lot about setting appropriate expectations for ourselves.

While you are no doubt, awesome, and should expect yourself to be able to achieve great things, it’s important not to set the bar so high it’s impossible to win at your own game. When you set the bar too high, you’re telling yourself a story about how things are going to go. And then reality kicks in. And reality always wins. If it matches the story you’ve told yourself, great, but what if it doesn’t? You see how that would be an immediate let-down right? Before you know it you’ve gone from overachiever to asking yourself things like “how did this happen? or “how the hell did I wind up here?”

The toe dippers are often do the opposite. They set the bar too low, stay hidden under a security blanket, and decide they’re not willing to get uncomfortable. The unfortunate reality is nothing will change if you don’t change anything. And yes, change can be hard.

Goal setting is challenging. It can be tricky to figure out where to set the bar. Not too high…not too low…but just right.

Below, I’ll share two amazing articles to help you set better expectations for yourself, start crushing your goals and stop sabotaging your results just when things are about get get FREAKING AMAZING.

It’s TWO THINGS TUESDAY so don’t forget, if you’ve been reading something you think I’d love and should share it here, please let me know!

Set the Bar Higher

You deserve the BEST life ever, don’t you?

1. Don’t lower the bar for yourself. Seriously, when did we decide that we are second class citizens? That we don’t really need to treat ourselves optimally? That we’re not worthy of the same opportunities we want for our kids and other loved ones? Be better. Expect more. And remember no one is going to get hurt if you if you treat yourself amazing.

2. Do you have an upper limit problem? This is one of my most favorite articles ever. I always share it at the end of my 6-week nutrition coaching group. It’s an absolute must-read if you tend to be someone who pulls back when things start going “too well” and you get a little uncomfortable with your success. You are worthy of a super duper OMG good life.

Most of us need a little help assessing our current reality and setting the bar appropriately. Don’t forget, reality always wins. You might as well face it head on and figure out what’s really holding you back. Are you setting the bar too low? Too high? Do you notice you tend to swim along nicely until things get too good and you start to self-sabotage?

I’d love to hear your comments on this one!

PS…I Just announced the next 6-week nutrition coaching group start date for January 2018 if you want in or have questions on how it works.