6 Ingredients for a Healthier You in 2022

By Greg Darley

Read Time: 2.5 minutes

As the new year is quickly approaching, it's that time to make some New Year's resolutions! The problem is, most New Year's resolutions don't make it out of January. But this year is going to be different! You are going to get healthier. You are going to grow your energy. You are going to keep those resolutions and become the best version of you. 

Here are 6 Ingredients to get a Healthier YOU in 2022:

1. Get Rested

For many leaders, especially pastors, it's difficult to kick off a new year with gusto for health and change because there hasn't been time to recover from the stress of the holidays. November and December are often blurs for church leaders. Holiday planning, parties, extra sermons, extra services, extra meetings.  

Take some time between Christmas and New Year's to get rested. This moves beyond sleep, though quality sleep is a great start. Unplug from technology. Be intentional about what restores your energy. Go outside. Travel. Read. Drink good coffee. 

Don't expect to crush those New Year's Resolutions if you are exhausted. Get rested and ready to go!

2. Get a Plan 

In my experience coaching leaders, those with the best results always follow a plan. This is especially true for health and energy performance. If you try and wing it, it's too easy to modify, cheat, or flat-out skip the day's work. Like in other areas of leadership and life, if you track it, you're more likely to reach your goal. A plan tells you what to do when you don't feel like it. A plan helps you get started. A plan takes away the guesswork. 

• What is your plan for more energy? 
• What is your nutrition plan?
• What is your exercise plan?
• What will be your routine? 

Don't wing it. Get a plan.

3. Get a Group

Creating change is difficult in any situation. It's incredibly different when we are trying to change ourselves. Sticking to a nutrition, fitness, and energy improvement plan will be easier if you're not alone. Get a group of friends, colleagues, family members to journey together. It doesn't have to be the exact same plan (tailored plans are the best), as long as everyone is working towards a similar goal. 

A group won't let you skip your workouts because you didn't feel like it. A group will push you to stick with your goals, even when life gets busy. And as important, there are people in your life that need to be pushed as well. 

Don't chase goals alone. Get a group and go together! 

4. Get a Coach 

There is no coincidence that the greatest athletes in the world all have coaches. Most of them have teams of experts in their corner to help them reach their goals. When we get a coach to help us improve our health and energy, we're tapping into a level of expertise that we most likely don't have. A coach can help you see where you're stuck or where you may get stuck soon. They give you a perspective you simply cannot see. 

A coach will hold you accountable and help craft your plan that goes far beyond what you can do on your own. Growth happens more on the last repetition in the gym. A coach is going to push you to keep going beyond comfort, which is where the most growth happens. 

Getting a coach doesn't mean you're ignorant or lazy. In fact, it's the opposite! It shows you're committed and all in. Get a coach for greater results! 

Read more in our blog here:10 Reasons Every Leader Needs a Coach

5. Get Realistic

This may be the reason most people don't reach their health goals. They simply set unrealistic goals and quit too early. Realistic could mean working out once a week and skipping the drive-through for lunch the first week of January. Once you've accomplished that, you move on to week 2, then week 3. Don't set out to run a marathon in February if you don't run more than once a month now! 

Setting realistic timelines for your goals will ensure success. You can still set BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals) like losing 50 pounds or completing an Iron Man; just make sure the timeline is realistic. This is yet another way a coach, group, and plan can help you!

6. Get Going  

The first step is often the most difficult. The doubts in our head that say you've tried this before, or it's too late for that, or you're too old, or you're too ________. The best way to shut out the noise and doubts is to simply get started. If you will get some rest, get a plan, get a group, get a coach and get realistic, then showing up on day one is all you need to be concerned with. 

You're calling is too important to lead with low energy and poor health! To do all that God's called you to do, you need to be the best version of you. And the best version of you, is the healthiest version of you.

Greg Darley is the founder of the Stewardship of YOU, which exists to equip 10,000 pastors and church leaders to steward the vessel that God is using to impact the world...you! 

Achieve your 2022 goals

At StartCHURCH, we are here to help you get a head start with your goals in the new year. If you would like to learn more about how we can help you achieve your vision, whether you want to plant a church, grow your organization, or get your books in order so you can focus on your ministry, we are here to help! Call 877-494-4655 to speak to a specialist today!

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