There’s a plethora of information available on how to make positive changes in your life, which can feel really overwhelming. Most of us are confused about where to start and how to navigate making change in our life. Our society as a whole expects immediate gratification, which leaves us frustrated when that doesn’t happen. Real change takes time and consistency, so here’s a few tips to keep in mind along the way:
Factor #1…. Believe you can change.
There needs to be a part of you, even a small part, that believes you can make the changes you desire. It’s important that you feel like you’re making the decision to change and not someone or something putting pressure on you to change. If we don’t see the problem with how we’re behaving or don’t have that internal shift towards making change, anything we do will likely only be temporary.
Factor #2…. Be willing to do uncomfortable and scary things.
Change is uncomfortable, period. If you decide to begin lifting weights at the gym, it’s uncomfortable to feel sore, to do something new, and to adjust your daily routine and diet to now compensate for exercise. Most of our fears keep
us stuck in the same place for months or even years. In order to teach our brain that there is no actual danger, we have to be willing to do the thing that we’re afraid of. Otherwise, the more we avoid/distract from our fears, the more we are telling our brains “this is something to be fearful of and it is a real danger. So keep feeling anxious about it.”
Factor #3…. Be kind, patient, and compassionate with yourself throughout the process.
Making changes will never look perfect and there will be times you slide back into old habits. When we’re used to
doing something for several months or years, it becomes comfortable and safe to us. So creating space for new changes and actually taking the steps to make those changes will likely be intimidating. It’s vital to your well-being and success to be patient and kind during the times you fall back. You are human and humans are imperfect.
Factor #4…. Small steps over time lead to big changes.
When most people find a change they want to make, they dive in head first. Making large changes all of a sudden is not sustainable and can actually be counterproductive to what you’re wanting to do. Real change happens when you find small steps to take throughout your day or weeks and build upon that. When we expect immediate
change and immediate results, it will likely lead to disappointment and frustration. Take a step back, breathe, and focus on the small changes you can make.
I believe that all people are capable of change; most of us have to deal with change throughout our lives. We adjust, learn, and adapt. On your change journey, release expectations you have about what change looks like and when it should happen. Know that it will be challenging and require you to fall, then pick yourself back up over and over again. You can do it!