Most of us have experienced the all-too-familiar gap between wanting to change something in our lives and actually doing it. In today’s episode, returning guest Alison Heilig breaks down the most common barriers to behaviour change with host Rachel.

Alison shares how behaviour change is not about self-control or lack of, and is instead a set of learnable skills. We discuss the importance of setting realistic expectations and explain why habit initiation is more important than habit completion.

Listen in to learn how to turn a fixed mindset into a growth mindset, and how to create systems to support your goals for lasting change.

Show Notes:

• Motivating people with a different approach to change or challenge [2:57]
• Barrier #1 to follow-through: is it really lack of self-control? [7:19]
• Recognizing a fixed mindset [11:20]
• Discerning between fixed mindset and acceptance [14:55]
• Growth mindset eases perceived time pressure [18:00]
• Where can yoga teachers intervene with a fixed mindset [20:28]
• Emphasizing effort over outcome to empower students [25:21]
• Barrier #2 to follow through: Behaviour change skills [28:32]
• How your “future self” helps you learn to tolerate discomfort [31:49]
• Just get started: how habit initiation is more important than completion [38:06]
• Managing overwhelm with intentional prioritization [41:49]
• Barrier #3 to follow through: No system [46:44]
• Barrier #4 to follow through: Unsupportive environment [52:35]
• Barrier #4 to follow through: Unrealistic expectations [1:02:30]
• Final takeaways [1:10:04]

Links Mentioned:

• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Yoga Medicine Podcast Episode 32: Harness Your Potential, Yoga for Athletes
• Yoga for Athletes Teacher Training
• Connect with Alison Heilig:

Facebook | Instagram | Alison Heilig | Yoga Medicine Online Guest Teacher

You can learn more about this episode, and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-96.

And you can find out more about insider tips, online classes or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com.

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