Counselor's Corner: Get Back on Track for 2018 and Gain Your Momentum Again!

After the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it can be tough getting back on track. If you are like me during the holidays we let go of things a little more and tend to indulge in things that are not always good for us.

It is a New Year and it is time to get back on track and gain your momentum again!

Have you had a difficult time staying on track lately? Maybe you have desired to accomplish your goals and have even tried multiple times to move forward with them. What happened? You lost focus and allowed distractions, annoyances, and stresses to sidetrack you.

Distractions can come from everyday living and some are sent from the enemy in hopes you will focus on them and get little or nothing accomplished. Whatever you focus on will become bigger. Before long, you lose your momentum. What is momentum? The strength of something that is moving or increasing in forward motion.

→Distractions, annoyances and stresses can cause you to stop and pay attention to them thus    decreasing your forward motion of pursuing your goals.

→Steps to GETTING BACK ON TRACK and Gaining your momentum again:

1.      Get up earlier than everyone around you and connect to your power source-Jesus Christ. Spend time early being still and quiet in the presence of the Lord. Let God speak to your spirit about any strategies that He may show you to defeat and overcome any plan of the enemy to derail and sidetrack you.

2.      Make a daily schedule and stick to it as much as you can. Schedules can help keep you focused when the distractions come. If you are so distracted you cannot focus, get up, breathe deeply and pray that God will help you to focus.

3.      Keep a routine, that means have certain activities that you do the same every day. An example would be having a routine of going to bed and getting up at the same time.

4.      Refocus your attention from whatever bothers you or keeps you from moving forward. You can refocus by taking a walk in nature, talking to God about it, or IGNORING THE STIMULI.

5.      Make your bed every day! That’s right, make your bed! Completing tasks, even small ones makes you feel successful and productive. Doing this very small task first thing every morning registers to your brain that you are capable of being productive.

6.      Eliminate energy drains and recharge. Reward yourself for getting back on track and getting tasks accomplished and do something that is enjoyable.

7.      Get motivated again. Set your mind you will go all the way through this time. Motivation starts in your mind-believe that you can and you can!

8.      Connect with people who inspire you and especially those who inspire your dreams.

For additional reading on how to discipline your thoughts so that you can get back on track, check out this practical resource written by Stephanie R. Reck, LMSW, LBT, BCCC, “Disciplining Your Mind, 30 Days to a New You.”

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