As we navigate the fourth quarter of the year, there are a few things that we can do to finish strong and set ourselves up for a great 2024.
After three quarters of sustained effort, you can’t finish the year strong if you run out of gas now. Champions ensure that they remain fueled and rested to run through the finish line.
The last 90 days of the year are more crucial than the first. Decide to finish strong, by sticking to your goals and achieving what you had only just dreamed of at the start of 2023.
How to finish the year strong
Look at your goals from the beginning of the year. Is there anything on that list that hasn’t happened yet, but you know you still have time to achieve? Something important that you wanted to do or accomplish this year? You still have time.
Identify one thing you’ve been procrastinating about. You know what it is. For some reason, you just keep putting it off. That 10k run you wanted to finish in under 35 minutes. The number on the scale you wanted to see. The more time you planned to commit to exercise. What’s the one thing you want to tick off on your list before you head into the New Year? What would make you feel proud, excited, or relieved to know you can mark it off your list before the clock strikes midnight?
Imagine yourself on December 31st. When you look back at the year, what will you wish you had done? This can be big or small. Was it perhaps competing in a fitness competition? Fitting into that suit or dress that’s been pinned on your wall? Forgiving someone so you can enter the New Year with that off your chest? What do you need or want to do so you can look back and feel awesome about the year just gone, not with regret or disappointment about what didn’t happen.
Set yourself up. What do you need to do to set yourself up for a great new year? Part of setting yourself up is finishing this year strong. If you let go of everything, eat excess junk, stop exercising because you’re too busy, drink too much, eat too much and pile on the stress, how are you going to feel? If you wake up January 1st hungover, 5 pounds overweight and exhausted, what impact will that have on your ‘fresh’ start?
Shift your mindset. Is there a negative attitude you want to shake; a limiting belief that keeps getting in your way; self-doubt or insecurities that prevent you from achieving your goals inside or outside the gym? Maybe you want to finish strong by wanting to lean into your trainer but simply haven’t reached out just yet. Now is the time.
Identify what has provided you energy this year and what has drained you. Now is the time to reflect and identify your positive and negative inputs. Reflecting and identifying is the first step. What in your life gave you inspiration, energy, hope and joy this year? What in your life made you hurt, cry, feel bad, adversely affected your sleep, nutrition or relationships with others? Reduce or eliminate what has drained you and champion what has given you zest and energy.
