We all want to see our lives and businesses grow to the next level and the next level beyond that. We want more for ourselves than we have now, we want to constantly be growing, both as a person and financially.
The two do go hand in hand because as we take the time to grow as a person it will naturally flow into the business areas of life, not to mention any other area that we desire change and growth.
Have you ever gone through the process of developing a plan of action for yourself only to find that you are unable to make the changes that you really want to make? First you decided the goal, the end result that you desired and then you mapped out the steps to get there.
Yet for some reason you don’t make it happen, despite your very attractive plan of action that you were so excited about.
What happened?
- It wasn’t because you didn’t want the goal bad enough.
- It wasn’t because there was something wrong with your plan.
- It wasn’t because you didn’t try hard enough.
- It wasn’t because you didn’t believe in yourself.
Let’s say that your goal was to cut out some time wasting activities out of your schedule so that you would have fifteen extra hours in your week to use productively. You made a list of the activities that you plan to cut out and a separate list of the productive activities that you plan to do in their place.
You’re set for success, right?
You start out excited and with great intentions but when it comes time to actually make the changes it turns out not to be so easy. If one of the activities that you’ve decided to cut out is checking your email so often, what happens when you are accustomed to checking your email first in the day?
You can either make those phone calls that you were going to make…or you could sit down and check your email. Just this one last time, you can cut out the morning email checks tomorrow instead of today.
Checking the email sounds so much better, so much more comfortable, and besides you could have something really important waiting for you in that inbox.
Ever been there? Sure, we all have. It’s so much easier to stick with the routines that we are comfortable with than it is to change those routines.
That, my friend, is the exact reason that we cannot achieve the success that we desire.
Change.
Change is difficult for many reasons, one reason being that often unless we are forced into change we are much happier where we are unless change would be less painful than not changing.
Not changing is comfortable even if we think we aren’t happy with our situation. It brings about excuses and can even help us to see the positive in the situations that we say we are so unhappy about.
The one big reason that change is so difficult is that we have a habit to break and a new one to instate before the real change can happen.
Habits are very powerful and for that reason are very difficult to break, clearly the longer we have had a habit the more difficult it will be to break. What exactly is a habit? A habit is an activity that we engage in which we do without effort, sometimes without thinking about. It’s engrained into our behavior.
We can easily relate a habit to a physical addiction when trying to break a habit. It can be just as difficult, just ask someone who really wants to lose weight but has poor eating habits and doesn’t exercise.
Our use of the internet becomes a habit, try walking away from your computer for a few days and see how that goes. It could even cause you some anxiety! You will feel the pull to turn it on check your email, check your favorite sites, etc.
I can attest to this first hand because near the beginning of the Summer my computer had major issues and I wasn’t able to use it for a long time, even to this day my use of it is very limited. In the beginning it was very difficult for me to not have the use of my computer, especially with certain online activities bringing income.
After about a month (the time that it is said it takes to build a new habit) I found that I was enjoying my time away from the computer. Once I was able to get online regularly again I found myself less interested in many online activities and even with the opportunity to spend more time online I found myself not taking advantage of it. I was finding ways to spend as little time on the computer as possible. On purpose.
In this case I was forced into breaking one habit and creating a new one. Don’t wait until you are forced into creating new habits.
Creating Real Change
Awareness
In order to create real change we must first become aware of the fact that we need to break an old habit in order to create a newer, more productive one. Awareness will give us more fortitude when it comes to the initial resistance to breaking the habit. We know why the resistance is there thus empowering us to make the needed changes.
Written Plan
Having some sort of written plan or calendar to get through the month of breaking and making habits can really make a difference. It is encouraging to see the progress on paper and it feels great to have something to check off! If you are looking for something quick and simple to print out I have a free download that you are welcome to use, you can find it in the freebies section here .
Visual Reminder of the Goal
You don’t need to spend hours creating a vision board, you can easily use something simple. For example, if you want to lose weight you can bring out your skinny clothes and look at those daily. You may need to get creative but having a visual can be a strong motivator!
Article by JaneSheeba
+Jane is the founder of Problogging Success. She is an expert blogger, consultant, freelance writer and blog designer. Don't forget to get your hands on two FREE Ebooks she offers.
Jane has written 256 awesome posts for Problogging Success.
I've known Jane for quite a while now and one thing I can say about her services is that she never fails to deliver. Actually, no, she always over delivers.. If you are looking for some to assist you with your blogging needs, that being, an audit of your website, a redesign (or even minor tweaks), and to do that all important site maintenance for you, give Jane a try. You are in good hands.
{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
Create, then you need to even maintain the change I think. If only “create”,it’s not that hard actually. But to be consistent on it, that’s the hard point.
Andrew Walker recently posted..James Bond in Jamaica
Yes, I agree with you Andrew. If you determined about the change then you can create it anytime, But you need to be consistent on that change. However I can say a vacation can create a change too…….
. I wish Stacy a good luck from our Vacation Rentals team.
Hi Ava,
Thank you. Yes we can create change any time that we want and the consistency that creates a habit will give us much success!
Stacy
Stacy Claflin recently posted..Drop That Complaining Habit Off A Cliff
Hi Andrew,
You’re right, consistency is difficult until we’ve built it into a habit. Then it’s second nature!
Stacy recently posted..Mindset Mondays
Try to be firm on your decision. Be confident and warm you up regularly on it. However Stacy thanks for sharing such a live article.
Christie Hemme recently posted..Android Support
Like you said, it is essential to have a real plan for change. Map out our ideas, then take action. Let people know what you are doing for accountability purposes and then do your damndest to make sure you follow through for at least 30 days.
The reason for this specific amount is that 28 days is generally considered to be the time it takes to develop a new habit. If you can force yourself to make a change for 30 days then, it should become a lot easier as it becomes a new habit after a month.
Steve recently posted..61 Free eBook Downloads for Mastering Your Internet Lifestyle Design
Hi Steve,
I have found the 28 day time frame to be very accurate, those 28 days can be extremely challenging but after it’s over and a new habit is developed it is such a feeling of accomplishment!
Stacy Claflin recently posted..Why I Will Only Use Your Search Engine if You Pay Me
Hi Stacy,
Super breakdown. Be aware of the habits which need to be broken, before you break them. This is critical, an uber-uncomfortable step on the path to change.
As I see more I realize how much I deceive myself. I lie to myself. This is OK, and quite funny. The joke is on my ego
I am simply more aware of my attachments – internet included – and although it’s super uncomfortable I set a genuine intent each hour to take a 10 minute break and watch how I’m feeling. This helps me see my attachments, which scream at me, so I can work on dissolving them, which is a cathartic form of change in my life. Letting go things opens me up to more things, helping me see more possibilities.
Thanks!
Ryan
Ryan Biddulph recently posted..Thoughts and Outcome
Hi Ryan,
Thank you very much! You’re right it is so uncomfortable but it must be done if we want real change!
Isn’t it strange how we can lie to ourselves? You have a great system set up to overcome this, it’s very inspiring. Thank you for sharing!
Stacy
Stacy recently posted..Drop That Complaining Habit Off A Cliff
Very well written.. I really love to hear from the expert! Thanks for a sharing great thoughts with us.. Good Job!
Thank you for the kind words, Quiny!
Stacy recently posted..Mindset Mondays
My habits always change most of the time, for example, I can spend the whole day just by writing blog content and the next day watch the drama I brought from the store whole day, it’s kind the like I enjoy myself but the truth is something when it comes to writing blog content, at a point I feel tired of it and wanted to stop and watch my favorite drama or play my favorite game, but I force myself to make a promise and that is “today is not the day” which mean if I did stop an watch drama and play game, I will break my promise and that is something I cannot defy for the reason if I cannot hold up to what I had promise to myself, how would someone in the near future would ever believe in me.
So I truly believe in forcing myself to break, is not easy but when the time pass and is time to watch and play… you will be match happier because you do not need to worry what had not yet been done yesterday.
Wong Chendong aka The Bad Blogger recently posted..Commentluv Premium – The Next Generation WordPress Plugin for Bloggers!
Hi Wong,
Breaks are great, I love to take breaks!
Those are one habit that comes easily to me. We all need breaks, we can’t work and work without them. I love to get outside, to exercise, to sit down an watch a favorite show on the DVR, etc.
Thanks for sharing!
Stacy
When i entered the blogosphere and published my 1st post some 18 months ago, i waas a man with a plan. I determined exactly where i wanted blogging to take me, and created my action plan to get me there. I’ve had to make adjustments, i’ve learnt many things since, but now i’m a full time blogger, and my dreams are all coming true
Larry,
It sounds like you are on the path to success! Great job! It also sounds like we’ve been blogging about the same amount of time!
Take care,
Stacy
Stacy Claflin recently posted..Build Your Blog Readership With Quality Bloggers
Very rightly said, We could not change as we feel comfortable in our current situation though we know it’s not good. We don’t want to leave comfortable zone. Visual reminder of the goal is something which always motivate you to achieve your goal.
Aaron recently posted..Goa Carnival 2012
Aaron,
You are spot on! Thank you for sharing!
Stacy
Stacy Claflin recently posted..Right Here…Right Now
This is really a valuable post. Change is really important if we experience negative results with the one we had before. Siting awareness, writing plan and visual reminder of the goal is one way of telling your readers to do what you think is necessary to make some changes.
Thank you, Ira. You make some very valid points!
Stacy
Stacy Claflin recently posted..Afformations: The Secret Code of Success
Awareness brings the real change and that is really what goes for syncing the desired change and creating a phase of desired things . But being aware is a must to bring in the changes
Karan Lugani recently posted..Content is NOT King
Karan,
It really is amazing how much just being aware can change things. If we can be aware without judgment we can go very far!
Stacy
Stacy Claflin recently posted..Why We Should Appreciate Difficulties
Hi Stacy,
I just came from your blog and saw the link to this article. As I’ve said to my comment in your blog, CHANGE is something that most of us cannot accept so easily. I think you hit the nail on the main reason why we are not accustomed to change. We have a habit to break. Sometimes, we are also afraid of the outcome. Like if we want something in life and it means giving up our job, home, or the likes, it would really be a hard decision to make. But, those who take the risk will have the chance to actually achieve their goals. Well, as what the saying goes, “if there’s a will, there’s a way”. A written plan and visual reminder of goals often work for me.
Hi Roxy,
Great point about being afraid of the outcome, that can be a common reason for not wanting change as well. Especially when there is some sort of cost involved – which of course there usually is!
Thank you for sharing!
Stacy
Hi, Stacy,
In order to create changes, we really must know what to strive for and we got to have a clear vision of what we want to make out of our life. However, it is hard for some people to accept changes-changes mean new adaptations, and certain individuals are rarely ever ready for new challenges and fresh knowledge.
Kristina L. I UPPA Baby CouponCode recently posted..UPPA Baby Coupon Code
Hi Kristina,
You hit the nail on the head – people don’t want to make those adaptations. The resistance is very strong, especially in the beginning!
Thanks,
Stacy
Stacy Claflin recently posted..Amazing Afformations
Hi Stacy. Excellent post.
We really do need to become aware of our shortfalls, and then CREATE A PLAN. Gosh, I can’t tell you how important a plan or schedule is to create a routine.
Sure, some of the habits are difficult to break (the ones that eat up our time… like as you say checking emails or stats)…. I have spent time there in the past and its just not productive.
I know all about the anxiety too being away from the computer. We were in Harrison Hot Springs at our lot and the WIFI is unstable. I thought for the first week my head was going to pop off. Finally I surrendered and got used to the parting of the ways.
Wonderful post my girl! Keep it up>
Jayne
Jayne Kopp recently posted..Setting an Intention vs. Setting a Goal | Is There a Difference?
Hi Jayne,
It’s amazing how much we need our internet connection these days! It really was a nice break that I took from the internet over the Summer…once, like you, I surrendered to the situation!
Thank you for your comment!
Stacy
Stacy Claflin recently posted..Amazing Afformations
Hi Jane, I admire your knowledge and blogging skills and I have read many of your guest posts at various blogs but I am here first time. This is again indeed a great article to read and I totally agree with you that making pla, sticking to them and continously maintaining them is a challenge before all the bloggars and we should take it very seriously and then only we can create the desire to change.
Lalit recently posted..Samsung Tablet PC – New Samsung Series 7 Slate PC Review and Price
Lalit,
We definitely do need to create the desire to change before we can attempt to change and create the new habits!
Stacy Claflin recently posted..Why I Will Only Use Your Search Engine if You Pay Me
Nice post. One of the things I find that helps in creating change is to not do too many at once. It’s better to change one thing at a time, and maybe starting with the smaller ones first to build confidence that it is possible to change.
I believe change is something we need to make constantly, little by little every day, more and more as time passes. Eventually, change means New, the future. Some people get stuck in old things for some reason, but most of us can do better and keep an open mind.
Chris recently posted..Stamina CPS 1305 Indoor Upright Exercise Bike Review
Hi my driving force is you have to be self motivated working for yourself. You have to have a plan if that doesn’t work you try another plan. You keep going until you get the plan right. If you want something bad enough you will make it work.
Lee recently posted..AEG Ergorapido – Day One
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