STRIVING FOR CHANGE (BUT ONLY UNDER TERMS)

At some point in most of our lives we find ourselves in situations that require modification if our lives are going to improve. This may pertain to our jobs, our financial needs and yes, even our health. We understand the trajectory we’re following is not achieving the goals we desire. When enough NEGATIVE sentiment builds up, our EMOTIONAL prowess takes control and decides a new approach is needed. As we hastily make decisions to get as far away from the initial problem as possible, we typically pursue a course of action we’ve applied in the past that has already FAILED US multiple times. Why do we do this? This approach provides an emotional comfort level (based on our previous experiences) and creates a limited level of confidence needed to initiate the change. It is usually based on ANGER about a situation (job, finances, health) requiring a sudden need for change. With limited resources and limited guidance we attempt to convince our minds that REAL change is POSSIBLE (THIS TIME!)

I’ll bet plenty of you reading this article are nodding your heads and saying to yourselves, “how does this STRANGER know me so well?!” I’m NOT so brilliant; I do, however, understand people and human behavior. We typically share a similar approach to change. It is a love-hate relationship. We want it, but we insist on placing terms and conditions before accepting the “ASSIGNMENT.”

There are many experts that have developed approaches that successfully achieve the goals and desires we aim for. If we were willing to own our emotions and place them on the side, we too would be able to achieve our goals. What specifically gets in our way? Phrases such as (a) “I feel like I’m depriving myself”, (b) “I don’t want to,” (c) “I don’t like to,” (d) “It feels like a punishment”, (e) “I don’t have discipline”, (f) “commitment is hard”, etc… We want the benefits of change; we simply want them without changing our current lifestyle. It almost seems like we revert to a child like behavior as we undertake this enormous challenging task in life. What are the chances we will truly succeed approaching major changes in life using an adolescent mentality and attitude?

I may be one of the few doctors that encourage people NOT TO START A PROGRAM OF CHANGE, until the brain is FULLY COMMITTED to the undertaking. When an individual without experience insists on dictating the terms for change, what do you believe the success rate is? When an individual is willing to reshape their thinking and follow a plan of action that has repetitively achieved a positive outcome, what do you believe the success rate is? Can you see how:

The EMOTIONAL DISTRACTION is the BIGGEST FACTOR in overcoming destructive patterns we repeat.

You want a better job or career? What skills are required to increase your value to make a company recognize they need you part of their team? Who have you sought to mentor you to help develop these skills and give you the confidence to acquire the job or career you desire?

You want a better financial future? How many times have you followed (for example) a Dave Ramsey or Suze Orman and applied their PROVEN strategies to overcoming debt and accumulating wealth?

You want a healthier future? What health experts have you turned to? What guidelines have they created that you’ve followed (AND STUCK WITH) to achieve the results you wanted?

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STOP SETTING THE TERMS!

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If you want the benefits of CHANGE, don’t sabotage your own efforts. There are plenty of family members and friends that will inadvertently and even intentionally attempt to sabotage them for you. Follow a PROVEN game plan TO THE LETTER. As we begin to see some change, we have a tendency to conclude FALSELY that this time is different and we can modify the game plan to better accommodate our wants. Until the game plan is COMPLETED and MAINTAINED for at least 2 YEARS, do NOT deviate! Why put all the work and effort into a FAILING OUTCOME when you can put all the work and effort into a SUCCESSFUL one. Don’t let your ego dictate your decision making.

If you’re ready for CHANGE, wonderful! If you’re not ready, determine for yourself what factors are holding you back. Don’t stop there! Figure out what steps you need to take to wipe these factors from the equation. Once these factors are gone, you too, are now ready for CHANGE. This time it won’t be another half a_ _ approach under unrealistic terms predisposing you to another FAILED ATTEMPT!

THIS TIME YOU WILL UNDERSTAND WHAT IT TAKES TO SUCCESSFULLY ACHIEVE CHANGE!

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Tags: attitude, emotions, happiness, health, lifestyle, quality of life, responsibility