It can be difficult starting healthy habits, and the No. 1 obstacle most people struggle with is getting and keeping themselves motivated. As a travel therapy professional, it may be tricky to maintain that focus when starting a new assignment. If you're looking to eat better, workout more frequently or quit a bad habit such as smoking, you may want to implement a few of our tips for success. Plus, these pointers can prove useful in other aspects of your life as well.
Start small
Regardless of what type of change you are making, it's best to start out small. While setting goals for yourself is the key to success for many, it's important that they be within reason. Make a list of what your goal(s) are – these may be something you wish to complete on your travel PT assignment or something personal. Whatever the case, write it down and make a plan. For instance, if you are trying to eat better, start with daily or weekly meal plans. If you find that you make poor lunch choices when at work, pack your lunch. This slight change can make a big difference in the number of calories you consume on a daily basis.
Vocalize
If you're trying to tone up or lose weight, you may not feel comfortable sharing your progress with others. However, by not making yourself accountable to anyone, you are likely to slip up due to a lack of motivation. That's why many people turn to weight loss programs that meet on a weekly or monthly basis. If you're comfortable with it, talk to one of your colleagues about your weight loss plans. You may even find that he or she is working toward similar goals, and the two of you can act as motivation for each other. Other people than those you work with on travel therapy jobs may include friends, family or even a personal trainer.
Reward yourself
When working to motivate yourself, you may find that a reward system works best for you. Now, if you are trying to get in shape, you may want to think twice about having a slice of cheesecake as your reward. Instead, make it something that promotes your progress. Perhaps once you've reached the halfway point to your goal you could purchase a new MP3 player to listen to music with while you're out running. Or, it might be time to head to your favorite department store for a new outfit once you've gone down a size. Some people may need more regular motivational factors throughout their journey, so take some time to consider what will work best for you.
As you work toward success as a travel PT and/or at home, you may hit some setbacks and other obstacles. Preparing yourself for such occurrences will allow you to keep motivated and stay on track in spite of it all. These types of situations are when it can be especially useful to have a support system to encourage you to continue toward your goals.