Empower Your Midlife Journey: The Art of Vision Creation and Goal Setting

As another year is underway, you may already have a waning interest in their New Year's resolutions. You reflected on the past year, acknowledged areas where you want to improve, and set ambitious goals for the future. 

While this tradition is well-intentioned, it often leaves people feeling discouraged and disheartened by mid-February. So, what's the secret to making lasting changes and reinventing your life to flourish in midlife? It all starts with a shift in mindset from resolutions to creating a vision and setting goals for how you get there (your future).

Creating a new vision begins with evaluating your identity. What type of persona best describes the person you want to be? This identity is not just about setting goals but redefining who you are and what you stand for. A shift in mindset propels you towards your vision for life. When you think about it, every goal we set is fundamentally about becoming someone different, someone better, someone more aligned with our aspirations.

Your vision is to become a healthier, more active individual. Setting specific health and fitness goals is a crucial step, but it's equally essential to embody the identity of a healthy, active person. You're not just chasing a goal; you're becoming a "fit" person who prioritizes your health, makes mindful choices, and enjoys an active lifestyle.

Your identity, the beliefs you hold about yourself, is the foundation for your goals and vision. When you genuinely believe you are that person, your actions become natural extensions of your identity. You don't just exercise because it's on your to-do list; you do it because it's part of who you are. So, in your journey towards a fulfilling vision, remember that crafting a new identity is the linchpin that makes the entire process more seamless and sustainable.

Here are several tips inspired by Atomic Habits author James Clear and his approach to changing your identity and vision:

• Start with Small Votes for YOU: Implement small, manageable habits that align with your desired identity. These microchanges may seem insignificant individually, but they collectively shape your self-image over time.

• Focus on Consistency Over Intensity: Focus on consistency with your new habits rather than pushing for immediate, dramatic changes. Consistency reinforces your identity and builds momentum.

• Create Identity Statements: Create affirmative "I am" statements that reflect your desired identity. Repeat these statements daily to reinforce your self-image. For example, "I am a healthy and active person."

• Surround Yourself: Surround yourself with people who embody the identity you're striving for. Their influence and support can reinforce your commitment to change.

• Visualize Your Ideal Self: Spend time visualizing your ideal self, living your desired vision. This mental rehearsal can strengthen your belief in your new identity.

• Journal: Write about your progress, reflecting on how your new habits align with your vision. This journaling practice can deepen your connection to your evolving identity. We’ve made it easy for you to create the life of your dreams with our 90-Day Vision Journal.

• Learn Continuously: Seek knowledge and skills related to your desired identity. The process of learning and growth reinforces your sense of self.

• Embrace Setbacks: Understand that setbacks are a natural part of change. Instead of viewing them as failures, see them as opportunities to refine your identity and vision.

• Celebrate Milestones: Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements along the way. Each milestone reinforces your new identity and motivates you to keep moving forward.

• Establish a Feedback Loop: This will help you assess your progress and adjust as needed regularly. This continuous improvement cycle helps maintain alignment with your vision.

If you want additional feedback and encouragement, consider our email course. Our year-long Vision Course guides you through setting your vision and weekly exercises to practice living your desires. By the end of the course, you will have done the work to ensure your desired changes stick and can be sustained. Don’t pass up this opportunity to finally live the life you desire, not just think and dream about it! 

As a midlife woman, you have the wisdom and experience to make profound life changes. Rather than making fleeting New Year's resolutions, embrace the power of embodying the persona of the identity of an individual who already does the behaviors you desire to do and create a compelling vision for your future. With a clear purpose and the determination to follow your roadmap, you can reinvent your life and flourish in midlife. 

Remember, it's not about perfection but progress, and your journey is worth celebrating every step of the way. It requires patience and commitment, and we can help! By implementing these tips and staying true to your desired identity, you can gradually reshape your life in line with your vision. 

Mindset Transformation: How to Break Free from Limiting Beliefs and Achieve Your Goals

New mindset, new results. Transform your mindset today!

Are you caught up in thoughts like “I should do this,” or “I wish I could/would, but…” or “I am too old for that”? 

Yeah, we’ve been there too.

Lately, I (Rebecca) noticed that my flexibility and balance were “challenged,” to say the least. My hamstrings were as tight as ever, and bending forward had become more challenging. I was also really wobbly standing on one leg. 

In my mind, I kept telling myself I should get back to yoga. Eventually, I started voicing these thoughts to a friend who invited me to join her at a yoga class. For months, I kept making excuses like “I should do that, but I am too busy this week,” or “I can’t because of x, y, and z.” Sound familiar?

Well, my friend finally called me out on it! She said, “You talk about the importance of mindset as we age, but you’re just making excuses instead of taking action.”

She was right. Not only was my mindset holding me back, but I was also burdened by limiting beliefs such as, “I am not flexible enough right now,” “I should practice more before joining a class,” or the worst one, “I’ll be the oldest one in the room.” 

I stepped back and revisited my vision of how I want to live as I age. My actions were entirely out of sync with that vision. In fact, they were sabotaging my desire to feel and move well in my 70s, 80s, and beyond.

When our actions don’t align with our vision, we start feeling an inner restlessness or rumbling. In my case, it started in my head, and then I started vocalizing it. Unfortunately, I wasn’t listening to myself. And, because I hadn’t acknowledged and confronted those limiting beliefs, I was stuck in a cycle of inaction. 

How would I improve my flexibility and balance if I wasn’t taking action? 

Can you relate? We all want to change something about ourselves — eat better, get stronger, sleep more, reduce our stress — but often, we struggle to get started, let alone maintain those changes. 

So, how do you shift your mindset for lasting change?

Here are some steps to help you get started:

1. Listen for those inner rumblings. What is your inner voice saying? Take some time to be quiet with yourself. Try meditation, walk in nature, or grab a notebook to journal. 

2. Reflect on any “I should” or “I wish I could” statements you catch yourself making without taking action. Write them down. 

3. Ask a trusted friend or family member to help you identify these rumblings. Maybe, like me, you already have a friend who is good at calling you out! Listen to their observations.

4. Now, think about any limiting beliefs connected to these rumblings that may be holding you back. These often come as “not enough” statements or comparisons to your younger self or others. Write those down, too.  

5. Dive deeper into these limiting beliefs. Challenge them. For example, if you think I’ll be the oldest in the room,” ask yourself, “How do I know this? Is this thought based on reality? Why does my age matter?” 

6. Finally, jot down action steps you can take to address your inner rumblings. 

In my case, I signed up for a class at a new and nearby yoga studio. To address my limiting beliefs, I started slowly with a gentle class I knew I could handle. Once I got comfortable, I signed up for more challenging classes. And, you know what? I wasn’t the oldest or least flexible in the room. Everyone was there to work on their goals, regardless of where they started. No judgment, no critiques. I realized my limiting beliefs were mental barriers I created and were not based on reality.

How many opportunities do we miss because of self-imposed beliefs?

What was I missing out on? An incredible community of women of all ages who care about their minds and bodies through yoga. I was also not reaching my desired goals of improved flexibility and balance. I knew I had to take action, and I’m glad I did. 

Where are you stuck? 

Try the above activities to uncover how your mindset may hold you back. Don’t wait. 

I can’t wait to go to my next yoga class. I started feeling better and reaping benefits right away. Looking back, I realize what I would’ve missed out on if I stayed stuck any longer. 

Don’t miss out on the benefits of aging well. 

We’re here to help! 

Explore Rumblings resources to set a vision and break free from limiting beliefs:

The Rumblings Notebook is a beautiful tool to help you reflect and record your thoughts. 

The 90-Day Vision Journal will guide you through setting your vision, tackling limiting beliefs, and taking steps to make your dreams a reality. Live the life you’ve always wanted!