Jeff began his New Year’s Resolution journey on his own with no blueprint and no support. He was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and he needed to make changes in his diet and exercise practices to feel better and sustain his health. Using mostly will power he managed to achieve his target A1c level by mid-year. However, in late fall, cold weather and the onset of the holiday season’s food fests were challenging Jeff’s outdoor exercise practices and his diet. He came to me for hypnotherapy help. We discussed the 5 stages of change theory and noted that he seemed to be at stage 5 (maintenance) in his journey. Following the blueprint for transformative resolutions with scheduled hypnotherapy follow-up support, we reviewed his goals, addressed his current challenges, planned and celebrated his success in maintaining his target A1c levels through out the winter and into spring of the next new year.
Part 4: Blueprint for Transformative Resolutions: Achieve and Sustain
In this final installment of our series, we lay out a comprehensive blueprint for your transformative journey toward achieving and sustaining your New Year's resolutions. This blueprint, informed by the synergy of readiness, SMART goals, hypnotherapy, positive affirmations, and visualization, guides you through each step of the resolution and maintenance process.
The Importance of Readiness to Change: Revisiting the Foundation
As we embark on crafting a transformative blueprint, it's crucial to revisit the cornerstone—readiness. The 5 stages of change theory, encompassing precontemplation to maintenance, underscores the evolution of readiness. Here's how it aligns with the blueprint:
Readiness as a Driving Force: Throughout the transformative journey, readiness acts as a driving force. Revisit your initial commitment to change during moments of challenge, anchoring yourself in the firm foundation of readiness.
Continual Growth: Recognize that readiness is not a one-time event but a continual process. Embrace the evolving nature of readiness as you progress through the stages of change.
Crafting SMART Resolutions: Building Clear Pathways
Building upon the foundation of readiness, SMART resolutions serve as the navigational markers on your journey. Each component of SMART contributes to a clear and achievable path:
Specificity: Specific resolutions create clarity. Instead of a vague goal, articulate the specifics of what you aim to achieve. For instance, replace "exercise more" with "Walk an average of 11,600 steps per day every week."
Measurability: Measurable criteria allow for progress tracking. Establish quantifiable metrics, ensuring that you can celebrate achievements and adjust strategies as needed.
Achievability: Set goals that are realistic and attainable. While ambition is commendable, ensure that your resolutions align with your current capabilities, fostering a sense of accomplishment.
Relevance: Align resolutions with your values and long-term objectives. A relevant goal resonates with personal aspirations, maintaining intrinsic motivation throughout the journey.
Time-Boundedness: Establishing time frames adds a sense of urgency. Setting deadlines for milestones and overall achievement enhances focus and time management.
Building A Daily Affirmation Practice: Reinforcing Positivity
With SMART resolutions in place, the next step is to reinforce positivity through a daily affirmation practice. Positive affirmations become the motivational fuel that sustains your resolution journey:
Consistency is Key: Regularly repeat affirmations to instill positive beliefs. Consistency deepens the impact of affirmations on the subconscious mind.
Alignment with Goals: Craft affirmations that align seamlessly with your SMART resolutions. The synergy between positive affirmations and specific goals amplifies motivation.
Morning Rituals: Incorporate affirmations into your morning routine. Starting the day with positive thoughts sets a constructive tone for the hours ahead.
Evening Reflections: Conclude the day by listening to your hypnotherapy recording. Write your affirmations and what you are grateful for in your journal just before bedtime.
Adding a Gratitude Practice: Fostering Fulfillment
Gratitude, a powerful emotion, is an integral component of the blueprint. Cultivating gratitude enhances fulfillment, resilience, and overall well-being.
Daily Gratitude Journaling: Dedicate time each day to journaling three things you are grateful for. This practice shifts focus to positive aspects, fostering a grateful mindset.
Expressing Gratitude: Beyond personal reflections, express gratitude to others. This could be through notes, messages, or acts of kindness, deepening interpersonal connections.
Gratitude as a Resilience Tool: During challenging moments in your resolution journey, revisit your gratitude journal. The positive emotions associated with gratitude act as a resilience tool.
Scheduled Follow-Up Sessions: Ensuring Sustained Success
The blueprint's final touch involves scheduled follow-up sessions with your hypnotherapist. These sessions play a pivotal role in refining goals, addressing challenges, and ensuring sustained success:
Goal Review: Regularly review your SMART resolutions with your hypnotherapist. Adjust goals based on progress, challenges, and evolving priorities.
Addressing Challenges: Use follow-up sessions to discuss any challenges encountered. Hypnotherapy provides a supportive space to explore and overcome obstacles.
Celebrating Milestones: Acknowledge and celebrate achievements during follow-up sessions. Recognizing progress reinforces positive behavior and motivates continued effort.
Summary:
As you embark on your transformative journey armed with the blueprint—rooted in readiness, guided by SMART resolutions, reinforced by daily affirmations and gratitude, and supported by follow-up sessions—remember that resolutions are not just about achievement but a journey of continuous growth. The synergy of these elements ensures that your resolutions not only endure but flourish, fostering a life of purpose and fulfillment.
Closing Thoughts
With the transformative blueprint in hand, you are poised to make this year your most impactful yet. The combination of clarity, positivity, gratitude, and ongoing support sets the stage for resolutions that go beyond mere accomplishment—they become a pathway to a more vibrant and fulfilling life. Ready, set, go—your transformative journey awaits.
If you are considering working with me as your hypnotherapist, I am available for a free 30 minute consultation for new clients. Please call me at 818-929-4944 or go to cindaroffman.com to book a free consultation.
Sincerely,
Cinda
HypnoNews and Resources
A research study in 2020 investigated what resolutions people make when they are free to formulate them, whether different resolutions reach differing success rates, and whether it is possible to increase the likelihood of a resolution’s success through various types of support. Participants were placed in three groups: active control, some support, and extended support. At a one year follow-up, the group that got some support was “exclusively and significantly” more successful. Read the study here: