{"id":590,"date":"2014-07-11T06:00:16","date_gmt":"2014-07-11T10:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.livelifemadetoorder.com\/blog\/blog\/?p=590"},"modified":"2021-08-02T05:11:05","modified_gmt":"2021-08-02T05:11:05","slug":"ready-change-tips-getting-want","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.livelifemadetoorder.com\/blog\/ready-change-tips-getting-want\/","title":{"rendered":"Ready for a Change? Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

So, you have been doing some thinking, and you have decided there are some things in your life that need to change. Maybe you want to break some bad habits, or develop some better ones. Maybe you are itching to take your life in a new direction. Or, perhaps, there are things about yourself you would like to work on.<\/span><\/p>\n

First off, congratulations on your decision. This alone is a big step because you have set an intention, and intentions are powerful. This seemingly simple act is a key piece of the puzzle, and many people stay stuck where they are, even though they no longer want to be there, simply because they have not decided to actually take steps to change things.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is just something they think about every so often, but never take any further than that. On a deeper level, there is some sort of expectation that their life will just become different with minimal effort extended. But, it really doesn\u2019t work like this.<\/span><\/p>\n

In theory, change should be easy. Letting go of the \u2018problem\u2019 stuff, and embracing the good things would seem like a no-brainer. But, us humans are quite the complicated creatures, and for myriad reasons, we keep doing things we know are bad for us, or stay in situations that make us unhappy.<\/span><\/p>\n

We don\u2019t realize how much power we have within us to be and do better. We mistakenly think we are not capable of achieving certain things because of issues such as a distorted self-image and limiting beliefs about what is possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

I have made a lot of positive changes in my life over the years, and way back when, I never would have thought they would be possible, but here I am. Whether you are looking to make some small tweaks to your life, or do a major overhaul, here is my first set of tips for staying on track.<\/span><\/p>\n

Define Your Why<\/span><\/h2>\n

Before you do anything you need to address this all-important step. You must define your \u2018why.\u2019 One of the reasons many people have a hard time actually making positive changes that stick for the long-haul is lack of clarity. There may be some vague, generic desire at the surface, like to be happier or healthier, but you have to go deeper than that. Something sparked this desire for change, it didn\u2019t just appear out of nowhere.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is important you examine this on the deepest level possible. Here you will find the root of the desire and your core values. Uncovering them sets a rock solid foundation for making whatever change it is you are hoping to make, whether it be quitting smoking, being a better parent, letting go of toxic influences , or completely changing the course of your entire life.<\/span><\/p>\n

The \u2018why\u2019 is what will drive you; it will strengthen your resolve, and letting go of the old you, and your old ways will not seem as hard. Making the decisions you need to make to get where you want to be will seem easier. Giving up the \u2018bad\u2019 stuff won\u2019t seem as much of a sacrifice because you have clearly identified all the wonderful benefits that will come with the change you are making.<\/span><\/p>\n

When you know your \u2018why\u2019 at the deepest level possible, you can\u2019t imagine any other reality other than the one you have envisioned for yourself, and not getting whatever it is you are after is not an option.<\/span><\/p>\n

Realize You Can Be Whoever You Want to Be<\/span><\/h2>\n

A lot of us have a kind of jacked up view of who we are, and what is possible for us. The reasons are many, from past experiences that really did a number on us, to the opinions of others. You may possess certain \u2018problematic\u2019 traits similar to that of your parents, and believe you can\u2019t do anything about your anger, anxiety or other \u2018stuff\u2019 because it is embedded in your genes obviously. But, you don\u2019t have to be doomed to having a temper \u2018just like your father.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Over time, you developed a certain view of yourself, and this influenced your habits and decisions\u2014this brought you certain results, and this only reinforces these negative beliefs about yourself. And, this vicious cycle goes on and on. Our habits are so deeply ingrained, it is easy to think this is \u2018just how we are,\u2019 but that\u2019s not true. Things can be different the moment you decide it to be so.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can be happier, healthier, better with money, a world traveler, successful, a business owner or whatever else it is you desire, regardless of how things appear to be now. All of these desirable things result from the choices we make, not something coded into your DNA, and unable to be modified, like the color of your skin, or your height.<\/span><\/p>\n

Write down all the changes you want to make, and note any discomfort that comes up when you do. Pay close attention here, because this indicates where you have blocks. Tuning in here will let you know what issues you think will stand in your way. Realize these obstacles are not \u2018real\u2019, that you can overcome them with a willingness to look at yourself differently, and make different decisions than you have been making.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cut Yourself Some Slack<\/span><\/h2>\n

Regardless of the type of change you are trying to make, you are likely contending with a lot of \u2018junk\u2019 that has built up over the years. While in theory, you can become a different person overnight, the reality is usually pretty different. It is important to show yourself a little compassion, and self-love.<\/span><\/p>\n

When we heap unrealistic expectations upon ourselves to which we will never be able to live up, many of us tend to make an interesting decision. Rather than regroup and scale back a bit, we give up completely. We take on this all-or-nothing attitude instead of letting the process unfold gradually.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cut yourself a bit of slack. There is a good chance that along the way, you will experience some set-backs; you may get off track, sometimes for prolonged periods. Forgive yourself, and get back to business. While you do want to push yourself a bit, don\u2019t be too harsh. <\/span><\/p>\n

Our tendency to be our own worst enemy can really screw with our efforts to be a better person, and create a better life for ourselves. Remember you are looking to improve things over the long-term, so don\u2019t worry if you don\u2019t do a complete 180 within the first couple of weeks, it isn\u2019t necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stay tuned for part 2 on Monday. Hope you enjoyed the post.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

So, you have been doing some thinking, and you have decided there are some things in your life that need to change. Maybe you want to break some bad habits, or develop some better ones. Maybe you are itching to take your life in a new direction. Or, perhaps, there are things about yourself you […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[13,4,30,14,11],"class_list":["post-590","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-making-positive-changes","tag-challenges","tag-change","tag-clarity","tag-confidence","tag-positive-change"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.livelifemadetoorder.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/590","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.livelifemadetoorder.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.livelifemadetoorder.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.livelifemadetoorder.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.livelifemadetoorder.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=590"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.livelifemadetoorder.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/590\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.livelifemadetoorder.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=590"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.livelifemadetoorder.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=590"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.livelifemadetoorder.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=590"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}