Thursday, January 8, 2015

Steps to Change

Steps to Change

1.  Identify what the problem is:  If you don’t know what you want to change then how can you start the process of change?

2.  Motivation:  Having the motivation to change is very important.  Some people may have to change everything to get out of there certain situations.  Are you ready to give up everything or everyone if you have to?  Are you ready to give up people who do not add positivity to your life, but influence chaos and destruction?  Once you have the motivation to make change and you are determined then you will be willing to do whatever it takes for change to occur.  

3.  A Support System:  Everyone needs someone; a positive parent, a teacher, pastor, counselor, someone who is going to positively influence you in making good choices.  If you are going to make change you need someone in your corner to help with support.  So, when you have days that you feel like giving up (you will have those days*).  Your support system can encourage you to continue on the journey, because the battle may be long, but when you win the war you have succeeded.  *Giving up in the sense that you want to resort back to old behaviors.  The behaviors you are seeking to change are easily to fall back into, because we have become so familiar with them, so when things get hard it is our natural desire to go back to what we know.

4.  A plan.  A plan is the start of every good venture.  Having a plan is having the road map to get to the change you want to occur.  The plan could be to start exercising or drawing every time you want a cigarette.  Just having a plan will help you reach your desired goal for change. 

5.  Change in perception.  Once you change your perception or thinking it will help in achieving your goal.  If you are trying to stop smoking cigarettes, for example, and you think about the relief and satisfaction smoking brings it’s going to be hard to stop.  If you change your thinking to focus on positive things and how your health will be better or how much money you will save this will continue to encourage your goal. 

6.  Focus on today.  Don’t worry about yesterday; don’t get caught up in tomorrow.  Focus on how your change can occur today, right now.  If you focus on today and what it takes to continue the process of change today then you won’t get overwhelmed.  We have negative thinking that can creep into our minds getting us off focus.  Because we slipped up yesterday, or there is going to be a party and people will be smoking tomorrow will only overwhelm us.  Focus on change today and what you can do today.  I’m not saying don’t learn from the mistake you made yesterday or be ill prepared for tomorrow.  I’m just saying today is enough problems in itself, focus on being successful in the moment.

7.  Pray.  That’s what I always end with.  For me prayer is soothing to my soul and gives me hope and faith.  When I pray I know everything will be alright, even in the midst of the most uncomfortable and hardest times in life.  When I pray I am thankful and encouraged.  I pray.


"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." 
[Romans 12:2] 

Keisha


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