Its hard to admit, but the biggest obstacle we have with change is ourselves. We set up roadblocks and resistance to letting go of things that no longer serve us or cling tightly to past behaviors and mindsets because we are scared to let go. Embracing change requires something more than going through the motions.
It requires us to get out of our own way and let things happen. This process is by no means easy. A new habit is often uncomfortable and sometimes even painful. Thinking differently requires more mental effort than we are used to setting forth. Most of our thoughts and actions are on auto-pilot. We cycle through the same basic day over and over again.
We get up, eat breakfast, go to work, drive home, eat dinner, watch a little t.v. and then hop into bed and do it again the next day. If we are not careful, months and years slip through our fingers and we never really change anything in our lives. Real change requires us to look at our habits: both thought-habits and action-habits one by one.
We need to pick out habits that are not really doing anything to advance our lives and change them. Watching hours of t.v. is a a great example. All that time could be spent on learning new skills, taking a class or working on a business idea. While everyone watches some t.v. to decompress, this habit can quickly suck up a lot of time that can be put to better use.
I am sure you have heard that it takes 30 days to form a new habit. The key to forming a new habit is to make room for it in your life. If you want to spend more time at the gym you have to clear some time in your schedule and set up no fail systems to see that new habit through. A no fail system would be to leave something you need everyday at the gym so that you have to go there to pick it up the next day. Maybe a work project or your cell phone. No matter what you will drive back to the gym to get it. Hopefully, while youre there you will get in a workout.
Most of the problems with new habits comes in when we try to fight back against change because we are uncomfortable with it. Our minds and bodies like the old routine. It feels unnatural to do new actions or think new thoughts. This uncomfortable feeling goes away after time. Each day you exercise the new habit is a point in that category. It becomes stronger and the pull of the new action calls to you to continue it.
You have to let yourself feel the uncomfortable feelings and go through the process of change. To really make things happen you need to get to the point where you kind of like that uncomfortable feeling and you embrace it. That feeling lets you know that you are on to something and that your goal is on its way. Without that tiny bit or fear or discomfort you know that you are not pushing yourself and you are merely going through the motions of life. This is where getting out of your own way comes in. You will try to push back against that bad feeling instead of letting yourself experience it.
You will claim that you are just too tired, or its not really that important anyway and any number of additional excuses, just so that you do not have to go through the discomfort of a new habit. Stop fighting the new habit and just let it happen. Give yourself a command and follow it. Change one habit at a time and then pick another. No one thinks you have to be perfect but you. If you let go of perfection it makes life so much easier. - 16747
It requires us to get out of our own way and let things happen. This process is by no means easy. A new habit is often uncomfortable and sometimes even painful. Thinking differently requires more mental effort than we are used to setting forth. Most of our thoughts and actions are on auto-pilot. We cycle through the same basic day over and over again.
We get up, eat breakfast, go to work, drive home, eat dinner, watch a little t.v. and then hop into bed and do it again the next day. If we are not careful, months and years slip through our fingers and we never really change anything in our lives. Real change requires us to look at our habits: both thought-habits and action-habits one by one.
We need to pick out habits that are not really doing anything to advance our lives and change them. Watching hours of t.v. is a a great example. All that time could be spent on learning new skills, taking a class or working on a business idea. While everyone watches some t.v. to decompress, this habit can quickly suck up a lot of time that can be put to better use.
I am sure you have heard that it takes 30 days to form a new habit. The key to forming a new habit is to make room for it in your life. If you want to spend more time at the gym you have to clear some time in your schedule and set up no fail systems to see that new habit through. A no fail system would be to leave something you need everyday at the gym so that you have to go there to pick it up the next day. Maybe a work project or your cell phone. No matter what you will drive back to the gym to get it. Hopefully, while youre there you will get in a workout.
Most of the problems with new habits comes in when we try to fight back against change because we are uncomfortable with it. Our minds and bodies like the old routine. It feels unnatural to do new actions or think new thoughts. This uncomfortable feeling goes away after time. Each day you exercise the new habit is a point in that category. It becomes stronger and the pull of the new action calls to you to continue it.
You have to let yourself feel the uncomfortable feelings and go through the process of change. To really make things happen you need to get to the point where you kind of like that uncomfortable feeling and you embrace it. That feeling lets you know that you are on to something and that your goal is on its way. Without that tiny bit or fear or discomfort you know that you are not pushing yourself and you are merely going through the motions of life. This is where getting out of your own way comes in. You will try to push back against that bad feeling instead of letting yourself experience it.
You will claim that you are just too tired, or its not really that important anyway and any number of additional excuses, just so that you do not have to go through the discomfort of a new habit. Stop fighting the new habit and just let it happen. Give yourself a command and follow it. Change one habit at a time and then pick another. No one thinks you have to be perfect but you. If you let go of perfection it makes life so much easier. - 16747
About the Author:
When you change your habits, actions and thoughts, your whole life will change. Click on www.GlobalSuccessILG.com to learn about how to increase your income and create wealth in your life. This site covers topics from leadership, to success, to growing your business and many more. Christina Helwig is Vice-President of Wealth Expressions, Inc. and coaches individuals on how to achieve their goals.
