It's a new year! I don't know about you, but I always think about how I can make the year better and brighter in various areas of my life. Last year, I had a lot of business-related goals. This year, I have more personal goals related to my health and well-being. I'm feeling pretty confident about achieving them, because I've learned some steps that are VITAL to making changes - regardless of what it is.
Do you have ideas on what changes you want to make in your life, but can’t quite seem to put them in motion or make them happen?
Feeling stuck is quite common. Many times, we have ideas of what we want to change but year after year, they never seem to happen.
The good news is, at any moment in time, we have the ability to start taking action toward creating the changes we want.
Here are five steps to get started, that have worked for me - AND my clients. Check them out!
Step 1. Write down what you've already accomplished Before you begin working on making changes, be sure to acknowledge all you’ve already done so far. Write down all the successes you’ve already achieved. You'll see you've actually probably made some accomplishments and changes and you haven't even realized it, because once you made them you failed to acknowledge them. By writing down what you've already done, you will direct your thinking to a more positive place. Because you'll be like, "oh wow, I'm a baller. I already did this, this and this!" And once you’re in that positive groove with your thoughts, it will lead you to make better choices and take better actions toward the changes you want to make.
Step 2. Get clear with your vision Many times we live based on others’ expectations or we stay stuck in a particular place because it’s our safety zone. For instance, like in a career we’ve been in because we’re climbing the ladder and feel like we’re too far ahead to make a change - or in a dead-end relationship that isn’t going anywhere but you’d rather stay in it and be miserable than start over again. Own your path. It can be hard to do, but allow yourself to get out of your head (or stop listening to what others’ want for you) and focus on your heart and what it’s telling you. Look within yourself deeply, and decide what you want and what’s true for YOU. I'm sure you have an idea of what it is. OK, now write that down. (yeah, I'm a big fan of writing things down - it's super powerful, I PROMISE!!!)
Step 3. Take baby steps There’s no better time to start making the change you want this very moment! Timing is never perfect, and to get started, you just need to put one foot in front of the other. Baby steps are key! Be realistic about your goals. If you want to start going to the gym, going from 0 days a week to 5 days a week right away is extreme, and setting yourself up by biting more than you can chew typically doesn’t result in success, but failure. Instead, start slow and go once or twice a week. After you do that for a while and get into a nice groove, up it to more days. Over time, you will build toward your goal by taking realistic, smaller steps to get there.
Step 4. Don't give up (this is the hard one) Even if you’re working hard on making a change and there seems to be bumps in the road - don’t give up. These bumps help you grow and make you stronger each and every time you get past them. So if you’re trying to eat better, and you have a day where you aren’t sticking to plan, don’t throw everything out the window and give up. Be kind to yourself and accept that moment, and then focus back to your vision and keep moving forward. Little by little, those moments of persistence will guide you to creating more greatness in your life.
Step 5. Know who to lean on Don't try to make changes all on your own! It's 100% OK to ask someone for their support, and if you do, you're more likely to achieve what you want to change. It could be a friend, a family member, or significant other who you trust and who have the results you want, that can hold you accountable and support you along the way. Or, a 3rd party like a mentor or coach can give you an outsider perspective. Whoever it may be, having someone you can confide in and have as a sounding board on your journey will be just what you need to keep you on track and celebrate with you as you work toward the changes you want to make.
OK...now go for it! Report back with any tips that have worked for you when making significant changes! Share below :)