Simple Tip Tuesday: Don't Adjust Your Goals to Meet Your Behavior

I caught myself doing this in a post I wrote earlier this month, but not until I sat down to write this one. And it's there in Black and White. Allow me to quote myself:4. Journal – This one I’m thinking about scaling back to just a couple times a week. In the mornings, I often have to choose between journaling and exercise and the latter is more important, at least right now.

While many would think that this is a perfectly legitimate reason to scale back on a particular goal, I had to stop and think about it. Is it a reason? Or is it an excuse? Am I justifying what I'm doing or not doing in an adult sort of way or am I skirting the true issue?

Angela, you say. It's just a little goal. Why are you stressing about it? I'm merely using this as an example. I don't want to adjust my goals to meet my behavior; I want to adjust my behavior to meet my goals. Now, in this particular example I've thought about it and I'm still ok with my decision but I have to watch this part of myself. I know I'm prone to doing things like this. Other examples in my own day-to-day life include:

• Removing something from my to-do list even though I know doing it will be personally fulfilling and replacing it with something like "pay bills." I should do BOTH.
• Justifying the extra cookies because "I've had a bad day."
• Grabbing the pop and chips for lunch because it's "easier" and hey, I'm a busy lady
• Completely avoiding the uncomfortable conversations because I don't like the drama

What areas of your life do you struggle with in this area?

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