Most of us have things in our lives that we’d like to change. But without a commitment to make change happen and then determined effort to make it happen, you’re going nowhere and nothing will improve.
So here’s a few thoughts on how you might be able to make some changes in your life without having to revolutionise the way you think.
I’m sure you’re familiar with the folks who sit at work whining about much they hate their jobs but not doing anything to find a new role. Or how about the people who say they need to lose weight or get fit but continue to do the things that that put them so out of shape in the first place?
We all know people like this, perhaps you’re (sometimes) one of them. I know I’ve been there. They sit there whinging and hoping things will just change.
The reason these people are like this is because they have developed the habit of not doing anything but whinging. Things are obviously not not so bad to make them want to change.
What they are missing is a reason (or reasons) to change, commitment to doing it and then the required action to make it so.
You see, the thing you absolutely must have is a reason for making change. You need to know why you’re making the change and you need to make it clear in your mind. Without this, you’ll have no commitment and you’ll not take the necessary action.
Now picture this:
You go to the doctor with an ache that you’ve not had before. After examination he tells you that unless you start eating healthy and get fit you”re going to die young and that the ache is going to turn into lasting pain.
That’s a fairly stark situation but what would you do? Would you beg the doctor to just give you drugs for the pain or would you decide that getting fit and healthy is the best way forward?
Is the promise of an early painful death a good enough reason to make some changes? What would it take for you to make change happen?
Most people would choose what they believed was the easiest option. Many would choose the drugs rather than the effort.
I know this is an extreme example but the choice is yours. But the real point is: you actually have that choice.
You make small decisions many times each day that are made based on the habits you’ve developed.
Things like: chocolate or fruit, walk or drive, whinge or work, Eastenders or exercise, spend or save, packed lunch or Greggs, Pepsi or fruit juice, I could go on.
The point I’m trying to make here is that you don’t have to make massive changes in the decisions you make to start making a massive difference in your life.
You’ve probably heard that ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’. But what if it’s actually true? I know that eating an apple a day is a small part of a bigger picture but isn’t it a good habit to develop anyway?
So here’s an idea for you to contemplate:
Instead of aiming to make massive changes, aim for a series of smaller (and more achievable) changes.
If you want to get fitter then start by walking more. Instead of sitting at your desk at lunch, go out and get some fresh air. In half and hour you can walk anywhere between one and two miles. It’s a small thing but it’ll up your activity levels and make you feel so much better.
If you want a better job then start by updating your CV, register on the job websites and get them to email you the types of jobs you’re interested in. Again, a small step that will make a big difference.
If you want to improve your finances then start simple. Have coffee at McDonalds rather than CostaBucks, it’s just as good but cheaper. Instead of going to Greggs, make your own lunch (it only takes a couple of minutes a day). Perhaps consider starting your own small business in your spare time, there’s no shortage of opportunities. Yes it involves effort and some learning but what will happen if you do nothing?
If you want to eat healthier begin with an apple a day. It cheap and easy but starts to adjust your habits.
Whatever you need to change there are always options, do some research on the internet and make some small but cumulatively significant changes.
But first of all, start with a reason for making the change. Make it clear in your mind so you know where you’re going. Then learn what it is you need to do and commit to taking the appropriate action.
And then just do it – for as long as it takes.
After all, whining and wishing won’t get you anywhere.
YOU NEED TO TAKE ACTION!
Figured I’d share an example from my own life:
I used to have a Christian housemate who was big into the power of prayer, which is fine. He told me once that he was praying for a job. When I asked him how the job hunting was going he admitted that it was bit slow. When I dug deeper I realised that he hadn’t even brushed up his CV, let alone actually applied for jobs. Even funnier was his face when I suggested that God may answer prayers but he won’t complete a CV or go to a job interview for anyone, you have to do that bit yourself.
He was simply praying and hoping without actually doing anything. And, no surprise, he wasn’t getting very far.
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