It’s that time of year where people around the world are focused on change. But whether it’s the new year or not, it’s always a good time to improve ourselves. And as many of us already know, change must start with yourself.
Change can be tough, but it’s not impossible. There are hundreds of self-help books out there, many catered to specific niches of improvement. But whatever it is you want to change, these steps will help you get there.
Break Down Behavior
What is it you want to change? Maybe you want to be more confident. Start by smiling at everyone you see. Smile at yourself in the mirror. Maybe you want to start waking up earlier. Put your clothes out the night before. Give yourself an earlier bed-time. Break those goals down into smaller, more tangible efforts.
Examine the Effects
What is your desired result in changing? In other words, what is the point? Usually there is something to gain in wanting to change. Becoming more confident may get you further in your career or help you make friends. Think about specific ways the consequences will improve your life.
Enjoy the Journey
Let’s be honest. Changing yourself can be a brutal wake up call and even exhausting. For example, waking up early is literally exhausting. But joy can always be found. Cook yourself a delicious breakfast each morning, or listen to your favorite music as you get ready.
Progress Over Perfection
It’s important to prepare yourself for road blocks. Give yourself plenty of slack. When a problem arises, take a deep breath and figure out how to overcome it. You may even need to take two steps back. Progress over perfection is the goal.
Baby Steps
Change is most effective when it occurs slowly. Start one thing and practice it until becomes habit. Then, start on the next thing. You can’t run a marathon if you’ve never ran a mile. Start small and build from there.
Research and Understand
Knowing more about the process allows you more control over it. The goal is success, and if you know why you succeeded or why you failed, you can apply the same strategies or change them according to your desired outcome.
Identify What Works
It’s time to look at the steps and habits you have created and classify them as either helpful, neutral or unhelpful in achieving your goal. Eliminate the ones that are unhelpful, make neutrals into positives and keep or increase the positives.
Practice Makes Perfect
The majority of failures occur because people ignore the principle of practice. Practice eventually create habits which turn into new behavior. It can seem monotonous and mundane, but this is why we need to keep our eyes on the end goal. Ask a friend or family member to keep pushing your practice.
Change is Fragile
When learning new behaviors or practices, many things can hinder our progress. Family issues, traumatic situations, and even environment can keep us from continually pursuing our goal. The steps we are working on are not yet habits, so they can be easy to forget. Be aware of these changes and get back on track.
It’s the Little Things
It’s important to remember that each small step is a big success. Each new goal is a step closer to the end result. Every little success builds your confidence while one big failure devastates it. Don’t underestimate the power of your small wins.
Don’t let change become bigger than yourself. Apply these 10 principles and watch your goal become a reality.
One Response
I love these tips because they are all manageable. Too often this time of year I jump into that icy cold water, head first, and I forget how to swim. This year I have taken a new approach, and really been more intentional with my goals and actions. This list is perfect to help me get everything into perspective. As always, thank you!