Make That Change

“If we don’t change the direction we are headed, we will end up where we are going.”- Chinese Proverb

Change is scary. Most of us don’t like it. It takes us away from what we’re familiar and comfortable with and we are forced to enter a world of the unknown. But without any change in our lives, life becomes boring, predictable and stagnant.

The fear of success is often a reason why we don’t change. This fear comes in the form of self-sabotage and negative self-talk. For example, you may be thinking about starting your own business. You’ve had this dream for a long time, but it never got off the ground. Why? Initially you may worry that it will fail. But what if your dream were to succeed? Would you be prepared for the change that often comes with success? Changes such as trying to find a work/life balance, finding childcare if you have small kids, having money to invest, finding the time to actually do the job and juggling everything else you have going on in your life. Is your spouse going to be supportive? Will you have guilt about not spending enough time with your kids? Will your friends be happy for you or jealous? See how this could turn you off from even wanting to start?

So, how can you embrace change once and for all?

Think about something in your life that you want to change and succeed at. Do you want to work from home? Lose weight? Work on your marriage? Look at your situation honestly. Dig deep and try to figure out what has held you back. Do you have a fear of failure? Fear of success? Have you been lying and telling yourself that you’re not smart enough, strong enough, or worth it?

Once you realize what’s been blocking you from moving forward, get angry. Not at yourself but at your situation. Like you’re not going to stand for it anymore and things are going to change, starting NOW!

Here’s how to make it happen.

Acknowledge what you’re up against. Change isn’t an easy thing, but once you become aware of what isn’t working in your life, you can take the necessary steps towards making positive changes.

Watch out for old patterns or triggers that get in your way and set you back. Write down your findings and take a look at it. In time, it’ll become clear and you’ll have a place to start. For example, if you’re trying to lose weight but tend to eat when you’re stressed out, look at the reason behind that. Are you an emotional eater? Do you eat when you’re bored? Think about what you can do to change that. For starters, you could stock up on healthier foods to snack on.

What do you tell yourself every time you fall into this pattern? How do you justify your feelings and behaviour? Write it down and then come back to it. For example, if you turned down a promotion because you felt that you weren’t qualified, write down the reasons why you felt this way. When you dig deeper, it’ll bring up things that you’ve been told throughout your life or things that you believe about yourself that aren’t true but hold you back from moving forward.

Be determined to win. Do whatever it takes. Even if the very thought of it leaves you feeling nervous and anxious.

In order to live your best life, you must grow and evolve. That means taking risks, shaking things up, daring to be different and having a little faith doesn’t hurt either. The time for you to shine is now. Make it happen.