Change happens everywhere around us, but it isn’t something we like to do. In fact many of us avoid it completely because we like the idea of consistency. From our morning routine, to the job we do, or even the meals we eat each night. The thought of interfering with these daily routines can often initiate unease, stress or anxiety.
Every week my wife asks me what I fancy for dinner the following week before she goes shopping and I say the same meals, every single week! It drives her mad. I know what I like to eat so why take a risk of trying something new and not getting the same satisfaction from it? I feel comfortable and at ease, so why change it? Being adverse to change is a natural feeling and yes it brings uncertainty, but it also brings opportunity. That’s why it can be a good thing.
Change in our professional lives:
Change in our professional lives can often not be our choice. A new head of department comes in and doesn’t like the way things are done, or profits are down so they initiate change. This type of change is sometimes forced upon us, no matter what we think or say. We might not agree with their train of thought but try to see the bigger picture, understand why it’s needed and embrace it. If you can’t embrace it maybe it’s time to look for another job?
Change in our personal lives:
Personal change takes a lot more courage. Understanding that something in the workplace needs to change is a little bit easier to accept because your job pays the bills. Understanding that YOU need to change is a whole new ball game. It can invariably make you think that you’ve failed at something, even when you haven’t; you’ve just recognised that you need to change something to get more enjoyment out of life.
Here are 5 tips to help you change your life for the better:
1. Recognise and acknowledge that you need to change. Perhaps you are stagnant at work, or you need to lose some weight, or you are miserable in a relationship. If you don’t identify or acknowledge what needs to change, then you will never do anything about it.
2. Start at the end. What is one of the biggest goals in your life? The one you dream about every single day but never do anything about? Mine is to buy my own boat. Not a huge one, just a boat that’s mine. Once you have identified a goal, look at all aspects of it, then work out 8 steps to get from that goal to where you are now. Now you have a plan on how to achieve your goal!
3. Don’t be predictable. Doing the same thing day in, day out puts us in a rut. Mix it up a little. Break out of your comfort zone at least once a week. Try something new that you’ve never done before. It can be as simple as trying a new type of food or changing the place you buy your morning coffee. Small changes lead to big changes and it also makes change a little easier to cope with.
4. Ask others. Every single one of us has made a change in our life at some point. Ask those close to you for help. If it is a major personal life change, perhaps seek professional help. People fail to make changes in their life because they try to do it on their own. Others will help to keep you motivated, keep you on track and also hold you accountable. You never know, you may inspire others to make changes in their lives because of your actions.
5. See it as a good thing. Adopt a mindset that sees change as positive instead of something that you should avoid. Sometimes you can’t stop change from happening so remind yourself that learning to deal with it is necessary to live a happy and productive life. If you have decided to make a change in your life, re-assure yourself that it’s the right thing to do.
I have gone through hundreds of changes in both my personal and professional life and the best way I have found to deal with them is to tackle them positively. The second you allow negativity to creep in and let that negative chimp win, you are back in the rut you want to get out of.
“A journey of a 1,000 miles begins with a single step”. Lao Tzu.
Invariably the first step is always the biggest one. If you find change hard then a Life Coach can help you explore how you deal with it and the routines or rut you may be stuck in.
https://www.oaxlifecoaching.com/book-your-free-consultation/
Make the change
Chris
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