Most of us find it difficult to create change in our lives. Even when things aren’t going well, we find it far easier to stick with what we know. Your friends might tell you it’s time you found a better job or let go of that draining relationship but unless you’re really ready to hear it, you keep doing what you’ve always done.
Why do we resist change?
We’re creatures of habit. For the most part, we don’t enjoy change – it scares us. “Better the devil you know” is the adage we often live by. The problem is that until we make room for something better, we can’t hope to feel any happier than we feel today.
Where do you begin?
There are a couple of things you can do to make you feel more courageous about creating change. Before you start, choose just one area of your life that needs overhauling. Don’t try to change too many things at once.
1. Worst case scenario
Grab a sheet of paper and write out all of the things that could possibly go wrong. Then write down the consequences of those things. Push right through to the very worst case scenario (would you lose your home? your family? your friends?). Usually the very worst that could happen isn’t that terrible at all but when we worry without specific details, our sense of doom is often greater than reality.
2. Create some space in your life
I’m not talking about clearing your cupboards or finding a bigger apartment but rather, creating metaphorical space. Make time to reflect on what matters. Work out your values. Create a vision for the kind of life you want to be living. Ask yourself this question – what do I really, really want? Only when you feel brave enough to connect with your heart’s deepest desires will you truly be ready for change.
3. Just one thing
Don’t feel that you need to know everything about the kind of change you want to create before you begin. Let’s say you really want to work for yourself but don’t have specific details of the business you’ll be in. Just start exploring. Do one tiny thing that moves you in that direction. You never know where it might lead you.
