Changing habits sounds good on paper; however, as soon as hard work and determination are involved it seems to be more difficult. We have become very impatient as a generation and society, with fast food, fast internet, fast search results, fast dating, and so on. We are used to receiving what we want or need in a fast, timely manner. We have begun to treat working out, eating healthy, goals or other habitual changes in the same way. We eat a few salads and want to see a smaller stomach. We go to the gym for a couple of weeks and expect to start seeing muscle or weight loss. Just like it takes years to see how we have changed within ourselves, it will take time to see the changes with the new efforts we are making.

It would be pretty amazing if someone did one set of abdominal crunches and walked out of the gym with a six pack. I would like to know what they are eating or doing but we cannot order an ab meal combo with a side of biceps and triceps to go. Making a change actually, takes some discipline and dedication to follow through with our goals. We could be the same person we were five years ago, but how boring is that? If we want to see a difference, we must do it for ourselves and no one else. I have noticed that I jump between two lifestyles: unhealthy and trying to be healthy. I tend to give up when I get frustrated or feel defeated; always wanting to see results on my own time when I thought I had worked hard enough to earn them.

If it took a lifetime to notice major changes in maturity, wisdom, and knowledge, then why would it take only a few months to notice a change in a new habit? You can tell when we have begun to give up. We slowly start making excuses for why we stopped trying to achieve our goals -- school and work got too busy, too tired, or we prioritize over the goal. If we are willing to patient and easier on ourselves when we do not see immediate results, we can make it to our goals. The harder our goal is, the more satisfying it will be when we have achieved it! If we keep quitting when we do not get what we want when we want it, we will never know if we are truly capable of achieving our goal or dream.

If you are truly determined to achieve your goal to get fit, eat healthy, write that book, or finish something that you started a while ago then you will make it a priority. Have the patience and the determination to attack your goal wholeheartedly and the discipline to know when your goal comes before other things. Do not distract yourself with mindless activities and excuses to not work toward your goal...sooner than later, it will take over. Realize that it is okay to make a mistake or hit a bump in the road -- this does not mean the goal is no longer achievable because you made one bad decision. You are stronger than you know, and with the right mindset, you can truly achieve what you set your mind to.