I had more energy, more confidence, and a whole lot more peace of mind. And WOW the results were addicting.
I realized one of my biggest hurdles was the unrealistic expectations I’d set for myself. I fell into the trap of comparison, thinking I had to transform into a fitness model overnight.
When I inevitably didn’t, the disappointment was crushing. I’d lose momentum, tell myself I wasn’t “cut out for this,” and the cycle would repeat.
This wasn’t too different than those moments at work when we set overly ambitious goals or try to do everything ourselves without relying on our team’s expertise: those times when we’re facing a tight deadline or a particularly challenging project in our careers. The pressure mounts, creative blocks emerge, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. We all know how detrimental that can be to a creative led agency. But I’ve come to realize that these struggles are incredibly common, both in our personal and work lives.
At work we all strive to make an impact, push boundaries, and achieve great things, but we all have times when we feel like giving up. I discovered that many of the things embraced by our work culture applied to my healthcare journey as well.
• Remember your why. We regularly revisit goals and remind ourselves about the impact our work has on our clients and their customers. This helps us reconnect to that shared purpose and reignite our passion for creating meaningful impact.
• Remain realistic. Overly ambitious targets set us up for failure. Instead, break down large projects into smaller, more manageable tasks and celebrate each milestone along the way. Recognize progress as a journey not a destination, and that every step forward is worth celebrating.
• Avoid burnout: Pushing ourselves too hard and too fast can leave us exhausted and discouraged. That’s why we prioritize work-life balance and encourage each other to take breaks, recharge, and come back refreshed. We understand that sustainable success requires taking care of ourselves, both physically and mentally.
• Don’t be afraid to fail. When we’re afraid to mess up, we can avoid taking action altogether. At LOOMIS, we foster a culture of experimentation and learning, where mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth. We embrace a “challenger mindset” and encourage each other to take risks, knowing that even failures can lead to valuable insights.
• Strength in numbers. Open communication and collaboration create a supportive environment where everyone feels comfortable asking for help and sharing ideas. We know that we’re stronger together and that by supporting each other, we can achieve even greater things. Instead of going it alone, keeping everything inside, share your journey with people with similar goals. And celebrate together when you reach them!
Whether it’s a personal health goal or in your professional life, it’s important to recognize that setbacks are totally normal. Everyone is human. We’re not robots! The key is to anticipate those bumps in the road and have a plan for getting back on track. It’s about learning from our mistakes, adjusting our approach, and most importantly, being kind to ourselves. Resilience is not about avoiding challenges; it’s about navigating them with grace, determination, and a healthy dose of self-compassion. When we embrace those challenges as opportunities for growth, we emerge stronger and more capable than ever before.
I challenged myself to stay on track.
So, how do we break free from a cycle of quitting to create lasting change? As I had to realize, there are no magic formulas or overnight transformations. Real change happens when we build sustainable habits, one step at a time. My brother, a total fitness fanatic, used to tell me: “Give me six months, and I’ll change your life.” He constantly tried to get me to commit to some intense workout plan, and I knew he meant it, but I also knew becoming a gym rat wasn’t my style. My brother thrives on that fast-paced, results-driven approach, but I needed something different: something I could gradually adapt to and that felt sustainable for the long haul, even if it meant taking two years instead of six months to reach my goals.
And that’s the key, isn’t it? Finding what works for you, in all aspects of your life. LOOMIS helps us understand ourselves better, and how to work best ourselves and with our teammates, by giving us access to things like DiSC® (a personal assessment tool that helps us better understand work styles to reduce conflict and improve working relationships).
Here are some other strategies that can be game-changers, both at work and in our personal lives:
Start with baby steps. As I mentioned earlier, sometimes you just gotta ease yourself in. Start Small, Dream Big: in my healthcare journey, the “baby steps” mantra was crucial. However, you can apply this to just about any goal that seems daunting. It starts by recognizing that lasting change takes time and consistent effort. One of my first wellness “baby steps” was using MyFitnessPal to track everything I consumed. Yes, everything! It wasn’t about restriction or deprivation; it was about gathering data. Seeing those numbers laid out in front of me gave me a clear picture of my eating habits and helped me identify areas where I could make gradual improvements. Start slow and gather information so you can make informed choices.
Then, break it down. Big goals can feel overwhelming. I learned to break them down into smaller, more achievable milestones. Instead of aiming for a massive weight loss goal right away, I focused on smaller targets. Each step of the journey felt feasible and allowed me to celebrate progress along the way.
Find a way to enjoy it. This is part mindset, part logistics. I used to force myself to do workouts I dreaded. No wonder I quit! The gym scene just wasn’t for me. But then I realized my hyperactive German Shepherd could be my secret weapon. I turned our daily walks into longer, more purposeful exercise sessions. Now, I’ve come to appreciate walking as the ultimate exercise. It’s sustainable, enjoyable, and far less daunting than a hardcore gym routine. Those long walks also help me clear my head and generate new ideas, and my overall improved health means I bring my best self to whatever I’m doing — personally or professionally.
