Elements of Change

The key to achieving more than you currently are, no matter which area of your life or work you are focusing in on now, is change. The old saying rings true: If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you've already got. If you keep eating and exercising the way you currently are, you will weigh the same a year from now. If you continue to sell to the same people on the same schedule, you will make the same amount of money next year.

In order to move forward, we must change.

As I have worked with people, both in a professional setting and on a personal basis, I have found two things to be true about change. One, it is simple. Two, it is not easy. That is, the concept of change is simple to grasp. People or organizations are quick to say, "Oh, I know we need to change." Simple.

But where the problem starts, and why most people and organizations do not change, is because it is not easy to change. But, I believe, if the process is well thought out, and if we have the guts and determination to carry it out, change can happen, and we can move on to more fulfilled lives.

With that said, let me give you what I consider the elements of change.

Discontentment with your current state. The first step in the process of change is to not want to be where you currently are. You must be discontent with it. If you are overweight, you must say, "I will not accept this anymore." If you are in debt, you must say, "I cannot tolerate this any longer." If you have broken relationships, you must say, "I will not live with this." This is a decision to change and not accept the status-quo.

The picture of your preferred outcome. What is it that you want to change to? It absolutely is not enough to say "I need to change." It must be: "I am going to change to..." This becomes the goal. I would encourage you to get a mental picture of it formulated in your mind. Get a real picture of it if it is that tangible. Perhaps write yourself a short essay, extolling the virtues of what life will be like when you get to the changed state.

New associations with the two states. You must begin to associate your current state you are in with pain, and the state you want to be in with pleasure. Let's take weight for example. We tend to think of ice cream, mounds of it, with pleasure. I know that I do. Especially chocolate chip mint. Last night we went to some friend's house and we had some ice cream. Normal portions. I don't like to eat normal portions. I like huge portions of ice cream. There is an association of pleasure there. But what I did to overcome the urge to eat scoop after scoop was to associate huge portions to being overweight, not the pleasure of the taste. I also associated not eating the ice cream with feeling better about myself. Then when it comes to exercise, I work on associating the exercise and weight-lifting with the pleasure of fitting into my clothes rather than the pain my muscles feel every time I do it. This help me win the battle of the mind.

Develop a plan of short, simple steps. "I am going to lose fifty pounds in two months." "I will sell 500% more next month." These are examples of change that are good goals to have long term, but too big for the time allotted - and this is havoc on change!

If your goals are too big in too short of time, you will fail and become discouraged. Then you will quit and decide change can't be accomplished. Instead, you must have short, workable, attainable goals if you are going to see real change happen and stay.

"I am going to lose five pounds a month for ten months."

"We are going to sell 6% more each month this year (That would double your business each year)"

These are the size steps you need to take. Then you will build victory after victory.

Discipline yourself. Sorry but this is where it is up to you. At the heart of change is the ability to discipline ourselves. I cannot lose your weight. Your mom cannot go out and make sales calls for you. The only real obstacle standing between your current state and your desired outcome is you! So do everything you can to get yourself motivated to change! Force yourself to get out of bed and get to work on your goals! Discipline yourself. Choose to make the right decision.

Reward yourself when you have made the change. That's right: reward yourself. You have worked hard and exerted a lot of self-discipline to get there! You deserve it!

About The Author:

Chris Widener is a popular speaker and writer as well as the President of Made for Success, a company helping individuals and organizations turn their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives and achieve their dreams.

To see Chris "live" at the upcoming Jim Rohn Weekend Event as he speaks on the subject of Secrets of Influence go to http://Chris-Widener.InspiresYOU.com/ or call 800-929-0434.

---

How to Use the Power of Words to Your Benefit - Part II

A friend of mine read the article, How to Use... Read More

To Boost Your Brain, Move That Body!

If you really want to be at your absolute peak... Read More

Our Life ? Our Choice

OK, maybe that's a bit of an overgeneralization but it... Read More

Rebirth from the Ashes

The legend of the phoenix can actually be found... Read More

10 Things To Do This Summer

Looking for a summer project? How about working on who... Read More

Turn your Dreaming into Doing

The first of January and September, as well as our... Read More

How to Get Up on a Down Day

One of the major obstacles to achieving goals is losing... Read More

What Once Was - Ain?t No More

Rather than beat around the bush and try to lead... Read More

Facing Our Fears

'You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in... Read More

A Turning Point

19 years ago, I was a young working mother at... Read More

The Conversation of Recovery - Part One

Transformational Counseling is all about assisting another human being to... Read More

I?ll Do It In A Minute... Or Maybe I Won?t

'Procrastination is like a credit card: it's a lot of... Read More

5 Fun & Easy Ways to Get Out of the Rut

I don't know about you, but sometimes I feel less... Read More

How to Stay Motivated

You've read a book that motivates you to action; you've... Read More

Nurturing Your Vision

There is a new television show, called Blind Justice that... Read More

Resolution Revolution: 3 Tips For Creating Real Change in the New Year

'Tis the season once again for parties, champagne, noisemakers...and of... Read More

Daily Motivation--Be Kind to Yourself for a Change

"How far you go in life depends on your being... Read More

The Art of Wastebasketry

Are your filing cabinets stuffed so full that it's difficult... Read More

Dont You Quit!

"A man who has nothing to die for is not... Read More

Mastering the Problem of Everyday Living

People are unhappy and defeated by their everyday problems that... Read More

How To Get Through A Bad Day

No matter how hard you try to make them otherwise,... Read More

How Do I Stop Procrastinating?

Often times we procrastinate because it just seems like so... Read More

Five Mores to Enhance Your Performance

When you think about the most successful, happy, fulfilled people... Read More

Change - The Skill Of Adapting To The Inevitable

Change your thoughts and you change your world. -Norman Vincent... Read More

Your Growing Edge

You've probably heard the term "leading edge" used to refer... Read More

Your Life Just OK? It Doesnt Have To Be That Way! Live the Life You Really Want To Live!

I have some questions for you. Are you ready? How... Read More

Fear Emotions - Positive or Negative?

What is fear's purpose? How do you handle it? While... Read More

Avoid This Tendency And Youll Press Beyond Your Limits!

Inside of every one of us is the desire to... Read More

How Self-Made Millionaires Overcome Procrastination

Do you want to know how the super successful overcome... Read More

How to Overcome Procrastination in 4 Simple Steps

If procrastination is holding you back in life, these 4... Read More

How to Change Your Negative Reality

It is often taken for granted that the reality tomorrow... Read More

Life Doesnt Have A Sell By Date

Or does it?Best on or before?.. Nearly everything we touch... Read More

ACTION is More Important than Knowledge!

It was Albert Einstein who stated that 'imagination is more... Read More