The secret of change

With the new year already here, many of us want to make changes to our lives.  Many of us have resolutions or goals that we want to accomplish in 2012 and most of the time, these goals require us to make changes.  These changes can be simple such as spending five minutes a day stretching or big changes like spending less money.The one thing that many experts talk about and try to tell us is that change is easy.  If you want to do “this” all you have to do is change “that” is something that I often here from many of the self help and motivational writers and speakers.  It sounds so easy, this thing called change but if it is that easy why isn’t everyone happy with everything in their life and able to make positive changes in an instant.The secret that no one tells us about change is that making a lasting, positive and valuable change to our life is hard. Making change requires hard work, determination and sacrifice if it is going to have a lasting impact and be of any value on our life.

For example, many people want to reduce their weight by 10 pounds for the new year but they do not understand the amount of change it requires them to make if they haven’t done it in the past.

1.  We have to believe that the change we are making is for the better and that we will benefit from it or we will not do it.  If we do not want to make the change in the first place, no matter how many good reasons we have, it won’t happen.  Focusing on the end results and not the changes that have to be made can go a long way and make this much easier.

2.  We must be willing to give up some things and realize that we are gaining something by making the change.  For example, instead of spending an hour laying on the couch watching television or playing CityVille on Facebook we can go for a walk or go to the gym and workout.  We have to understand that some things we do now make us feel good in this moment but the change will make us feel better.

Doing the workout at the gym or taking that walk might not feel good at the time but seeing the scale read 10 pounds less, having your belt notch smaller or fitting in to clothes that you haven’t worn in years could be the good feeling you are seeking.

3.  Recognize when you have made the change and give yourself a pat on the back for making it.  We all want to feel good and that we have accomplished something but we also need to recognize it and realize that because of this change we feel better and if can make one change, more positive changes are possible.

Changes are hard to make but looking at the end result will make the hard work worth while.  So now you know the secret of change.  Go make that change!