Motivation; 5 Steps to Get the Changes You Want

Q: I just read your column in today's' Greensboro News and Record. For the last few years I've been struggling with change, and found your suggestions about "change tools" to be useful. I was wondering if you have a favorite "change tool", and if you would share it with us in a column?

I'm glad you liked the column on change and found it useful for you. And I do have a favorite "change tool", and it's called "the 3 Picture Technique."

Here are the steps:

1. Specifically define a problem that you are committed to changing.

2. In your own imagination, create three pictures of yourself in the following situations:

How the problem got started - it doesn't have to be an exact date like November 5th, 1992. Just your own sense of when and how this problem began.

How it is now - include what is painful and uncomfortable. This will increase your leverage and motivation for change.

How you would like it to be - create a picture, in the near future, when this problem is solved and things are like you would want them to be.

3. Pretend that we can set up a conference call between these three pictures, as if these three people could talk to each other.

4. Create a conversation between the you now and the you when the problem got started. If you could talk to the person you were when the problem began, how would you answer these questions:

What have you learned about this situation since it began? After you have answered that question, it's important to remember that you have survived and are therefore a resilient person.

If you could send that person a letter entitled "Things I Knew When I Was You?", what would you say?

5. Now let's have you talk with the you in the near future, when the problem is solved and things are how you would like them to be. Looking through that future person's eyes, answer the following questions:

What does the person in the future know that you don't know quite yet?

If you could walk out to your mailbox today and get a letter from the you in the future (I don't know how you would do the postage on it!), entitled "things I wish I knew when I was you", what would it say?

What are the very next steps and actions to take to head in that direction?

This technique accomplishes at least two important things:

1) It allows you to clean up the past and remove things that are blocking you from changing, and

2) Provides you with clear direction and actions to get the changes you desire.

Visit SecretsofGreatRelationships.com for tips and tools for creating and growing a great relationship. You can also subscribe to our f*r*e*e 10 day e-program on how to enrich your relationship today, from relationship coach and expert Jeff Herring.

---

Book Summary: Self Motivation

Gail Lindenfield is a well-known British author who has written... Read More

10 Ways to Kick the Procrastination Habit

I recently read about a survey (by the University of... Read More

The Greatest Secret To Producing Real SOLID Excellence!

One fact stubbornly stays true: while everyone desires to succeed,... Read More

Nothing Ever Stays The Same

Nothing ever stays the same. On the one hand we... Read More

Are You IFFY?

Many people say that working for themselves or working on... Read More

Can Pain Be A Motivator?

Carol was a new client. She had been looking for... Read More

Sow the Seed - See the Harvest

The story is told of two boys who were walking... Read More

Success Through The Power Of Daily Action

Daily actions to achieve your goals means daily progress and... Read More

7 Steps to a New Life Overseas

Research shows that at any one time more than half... Read More

Are You Lacking Self-Discipline? - Part 1

A man does not live until he begins to discipline... Read More

How To Be Motivated To Create The Life Of Your Dreams

When it comes to motivating yourself to be a better... Read More

Motivation: If Today Were the Last of All Days

"If today were the last of all days........" - Marilyn... Read More

Were Good at the Things We Like

Read that again. It doesn't say "We like the things... Read More

3 Great Ways To Stay Motivated At Work

Staying motivated at work is easier than you think when... Read More

Motivation: 3 Suggestions for Living a Life of Purpose, On Purpose

"There's so many roads that seem, To lead down to... Read More

Passion and Purpose

Who are we, standing here on this planet, looking for... Read More

10 Things To Do This Summer

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

Action vs. Apathy - Feeling Powerless? Get Moving!

How many times have you felt truly defeated by the... Read More

Motivation; 5 Steps to Get the Changes You Want

Q: I just read your column in today's' Greensboro News... Read More

Need Help? Look Within First

After eating a turkey and dressing sandwich for breakfast, I... Read More

Life?s an Illusion

I'll get right to the point. Life is not necessarily... Read More

Change 101: How to Handle the Changes that Come Your Way

One of the few things that are constant in this... Read More

What Google Can Teach You About Success

I just finished dinner and the segment was about to... Read More

Ignite The Fire In Your Belly ? How To Move From Being A Procrastinator To An Activator!

Are you sick and tired of not getting ahead and... Read More

Succeed Like the Super-Successful

Two undeniable traits of the super-successful are: their belief in... Read More

Are You Ready To Make A Strong Finish?

Talk about a strong finish! In their inspiring story of... Read More

The IDEAL Problem Solver

The IDEAL Problem Solver is an effective tool you can... Read More

Overcoming the Fear of Getting Started

Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage.... Read More

7 SECRETS To A Great Life

A great life doesn't happen by accident. A great life... Read More

3 Clever Ways To Stop Procrastinating

Stopping procrastination can be challenging, especially since you can't put... Read More

Hanging On In There - How To Carry On When Your Motivation Is Flagging

"I will persist until I succeed. Always will I take... Read More

10 Common Money And Success Myths ? Part 2

Here are a few commonly held beliefs, or "myths," that... Read More

Did You Have A Tough Childhood?

Many claim intense childhood trauma "damages" a person in their... Read More