Everyone defines happiness differently. Whether happiness is time spent on a beach, becoming a CEO, running a marathon, or raising children – the definition of happiness changes from woman to woman. We all strive to live “our best life”, but how do we know what’s best? Well, the reality is that your best life is whatever you decide it will be.
“Happiness is a choice. Success is a choice. Live life on your own terms. Define what success means to you – don’t let a social or cultural narrative define it”.
Simone Denny, vocalist
I love this quote by Simone Denny. It illustrates how we get to choose our best life. I believe that there are a few easy ways for anyone to achieve her own version of the best life.
Set goals
Studies have shown that people who set clear goals are more likely to achieve what they’ve set out to do. Goal setting is a great way to tap into your motivation every day and to feel good about your fitness and your body – once you achieve these goals.
First, understand your motivation for setting goals. Start a Journal and take time to write down the reasons why you are embarking on this journey. Then, record your goals! Remember to include different types of goals, from mental health to cardio, strength, flexibility, nutrition, and balance. Create a variety of goals to ensure that you will have a healthy, well-rounded lifestyle.
It’s also important to set S.M.A.R.T. goals!
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Realistic
- Time-related
In order to set yourself up for success, consider the S.M.A.R.T goal-setting rule. Goals that are too broad, too big, or too far away won’t set you up for success. An example of a good goal would be to go to the gym twice a week for 3 months” or to meditate for 10 minutes every morning for 30 days. Remember, you can always re-evaluate goals once you’ve achieved them.
Finally, set both small goals and big ones, such as working out for 20 minutes a night to signing up for a half-Marathon in 2018. Small goals will help you get to the bigger goals!
Create new habits
In order to live your best life, it’s good to think about your habits – good and bad – and to consider ways to create new ones. Committing to a healthy life of fitness and spirituality depends on setting realistic goals and habits. As you slowly form new habits, they will become even more engrained in your life for the long term.
To do so, take a good look at all of your current routines– from your morning routines, to weekends, travel, and time spent at work or with family. Then, consider which habits interfere with your goals. Perhaps sleeping in on the weekend is preventing you from finding time to meditate or work out. Or it could be that rushing home and eating quickly is preventing you from taking the time to prepare and cook a healthier meal.
As you evaluate your current habits, look for ways to replace them with new ones. Create daily rituals that will help you to sustain these positive new habits, such as drinking water, setting aside time to pause and take deep breaths, saying positive affirmations, or taking the stairs instead of the elevators – you get the picture! There are many small things you can do to enrich your life. Make sure to monitor which habits are working and how you are feeling, so you can adjust them and track your progress.
Live a healthy lifestyle
Before I discovered my love for walking and slow jogging, I realized there was a void in my life. I knew that I wanted to be more active and to have a healthy life, but I simply wasn’t living it. The vitality that comes from eating well, being active, and loving your body in whatever way you choose is on going. As you look at the activities that will inspire you and find ways to learn more about them, you will be motivated to put a healthy lifestyle on the top of the list.
Taking care of your body and loving yourself from the inside out are the foundations for living the best life. When you find this deep love for yourself, you can build on it and discover ways to nurture everything else in your life.