Dr Anna Rolleston The Cardiac Clinic

A good quote to think about when trying not to talk yourself out of something is: ‘Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve'.

From our experience, it is the word ‘believe' that's really important. Even if you don't know ‘how' you will achieve something, believing you are capable is the first giant leap in the right direction.

If we consider starting to exercise as a goal, you first need to believe you can actually exercise.

But also that you can overcome any barriers which might prevent you from exercising on a regular basis, including lack of time, family commitments, etc.

That's where a good plan comes into play. Identify what the barriers might be for you, then write a plan so you know you can manage to exercise despite those things. In addition, make sure you have a specific goal so you see some value in the exercise, other than simply being healthy.

We know from research in the psychology area that if you believe you can and you know you have a valued outcome you are striving for, then you're more likely to persist and achieve your goals.

So regardless of what a New Year goal might be, keep telling yourself that you can achieve that goal, keep your valued outcome in mind and ask people around you to support you in that goal so they can help you to believe, and achieve, when things aren't going to plan.