5 ways to make change stick
Why don’t we stick to the changes we want to make?
There are many valid reasons why we don’t stick to the changes that we want to make in our lives : a failure to prioritise, procrastination, burnout, lack of resources, time, consistency, confidence, motivation, discipline. You name it.
But what if it could be different this time? What if you not only created intentions, but stuck to them and achieved your goal? What would that mean to you? How would that make you feel?
Without being a magical formula, these 5 small changes can make a difference!
1. Start with the end in mind…
(…as Stephen Covey said!). It has been proven that a clear vision helps us to stay on track and creates the energy we need to stay focused. Set aside some time to visualize how you want to feel this year? What you want to achieve? What might you regret if you don’t do it?
Take a holistic view and include all aspects of your life – work, family, health etc. They are usually interconnected. For example, you can set a number of goals that you want to achieve in your career, but these are may only be possible if you remain fit and healthy, and have your family around to support you.
2. Do not try to be a superhero
Ever started a new venture imagining all the great stuff you will do, only to find yourself a couple of weeks later feeling discouraged and maybe even a little guilty for failing in your objectives?
Limit the number of goals you set yourself. Focus your efforts on a few goals, break them down in to smaller steps, and be as specific as possible about your desired outcome. Starting small is proven to lead to greater success when trying to create a new habit.
A good tiny behaviour is easier to achieve because it creates small wins. Small wins lead to a feeling of success, which becomes self -fulfilling. As Arianna Huffington on Thrive Global states it creates “ a mindset that we can build on for more wins.”
3. Aim high but not too high
If you only set yourselves goals within your comfort zone you will end up doing, what you have always done. You will not be challenged. If you set your goals too high, they will feel unreachable. You will become overwhelmed, and maybe even disillusioned.
Think elastic band – if you don’t put any tension in to an elastic band, it’s useless. If you overstretch it, it snaps. Try to keep yourself in the middle zone, often referred to as the ‘learning zone’. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but keep with it. Soon it will be your new ‘normal’
4. Enjoy the journey and review your progress
In order to stick with your intentions and achieve your ultimate goal, it’s important to take some joy from the journey. Take time to celebrate your small successes along the way, not just when you reach the end, otherwise you might not make it!
Writing down your goals and keeping track of them enables you to see how far you’ve have come and will help you to stay motivated with your focus set in the right direction. Write your goals down in a journal, make them in to this year’s screensaver on your computer, print them out and frame them above your bed. Do whatever works for you, but keep them visible.
5. Find some allies
When you share what you want to do differently in your life with others, you create your own support system. A group of people, or even just one person is useful to help you keep on track, to challenge you and to support you, as well as to celebrate your successes. Think who will be your allies? What support do you need? What support will they provide?
Making changes in our lives is never easy. If it was, none of us would have any bad habits! Moving from the known to the unknown is often uncomfortable, for a while at least, until it becomes our new ‘normal’. Try and go with it, be kind to yourself and use the tips above to help. Who knows what you might achieve?
Finally, I have some effective tools and techniques to help you master these steps and free your path ahead so you can proceed to succeed! To learn more about them feel free to get in touch and book in a free discovery call.
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