Every new year brings with it resolutions, goals, intentions – whatever you want to call it.  In short, we make plans for how to be better versions of ourselves.  I’d like to suggest that we think differently about the new year by considering our big WHY?

Your big why is something you plug into emotionally that drives you when things get tough. It’s not a wish or a goal, it’s something that will change your life or others around you or do something for you that really matters to your soul. It’s your purpose.

If you made a resolution, you may already be feeling like you should back away. If your sturdy resolve is wearing off, you’re not alone. In coaching, you often hear about the big WHY, because having a deeper sense of purpose around why you are doing what you set out to do, will help you retain your resolve.  However, what is often missing from the conversation is HOW to go about discovering this inner fire. We must explore our hearts  to uncover our true motivating forces. This may sound ridiculous, but the fact is rational reasons for doing anything are not as powerful because it is not rooted in the core of our being.

Here are some strategies for determining your big WHY:

1. Get a friend, mentor, trainer or coach to be your partner in determining your why.  It’s important that this person is someone you trust.
2. Ask yourself questions about what is important to you and why, as well as exploring why the goal you seek to achieve is important.  Consider the questions below as you are formulating your big WHY –

• What makes you come alive? A recent article in Forbes magazine defines this as “connecting with what you’re passionate about, knowing that when you focus your attention on endeavors that put a fire in your belly, you grow your impact and influence in ways that nothing else can.”
• What are your innate strengths? What are the things you’ve always been good at? Are you creative, naturally adept at coming up with ‘outside the box’ solutions? Are you a natural born rebel with an innate ability to identify where the status quo is in need of a makeover? Are you brilliant in the details?  Finding your strengths will help you identify a more meaningful way to meet your goals.
• Why are you committed to achieving your goal? Frame the work of achieving your goals by asking two important questions – What ticks you off?  What breaks your heart?

3. Know that “should” is a double edged sword.  In terms of self awareness, life isn’t about figuring out what to do.  The real challenge is doing the things we know we should be doing. On the other hand, are your “shoulds” getting in the way of your happiness? The desires of our ego are often in conflict with the emotions of our heart.  You’ll always have what you want, if you want what you have.

If a New Year’s resolution is a tradition for you, make this year a more successful by tapping in to your heart’s desire.

Happy New Year!

Andrea Groth Wellbeing Detective

Andrea wants to live in a world where the neighborhoods are walkable, bike lanes are plentiful, and the food is fresh, delicious and readily available.

A 20-year veteran of the health and wellness industry, she started her career in the fitness industry while earning a master’s degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion, and then on to the burgeoning field of worksite wellness. Andrea has competed in collegiate level soccer, worked as a personal trainer, fitness instructor, wellness coach, and master trainer, climbed 14ers, and completed cycling centuries and metric centuries. All of these experiences give her the opportunity to view well-being from many different perspectives.
When she’s not helping others to be their healthiest self, you can find her at a farm to table restaurant, down dogging at the yoga studio, or experiencing the Colorado landscape on a bicycle, snowshoes, cross country skis or on foot.