Want to Change Your Life? Use These 6 Science-Backed Tips
“Change is the law of life, and those who look only to the past and present are certain to miss the future” -John F. Kennedy
If you are feeling trapped by your daily routine or are unhappy with your life, it’s time to make a few changes. Whether you want to take control of your diet, increase your productivity, transform your lifestyle or want to find a purpose, the following tips will help:
Stop procrastinating – Start Now!
Many of us waste days, sometimes years of our life simply waiting for the right time to start the journey of change, never realizing that there is no right time to start other than “Now”. Once you have decided to make the change, don’t wait for the right date. No today, no tomorrow, just start now! If you begin now, you will begin to see results a day earlier than if you start tomorrow.
“The beginning is always NOW.” ― Roy T. Bennett
Set your goal
You must set your goals in advance because you will have something to work towards and will be motivated to achieve them. Rate the different areas of your life to see which areas you are dissatisfied with and proceed from there. Some people's goals will be business-oriented, while others will set goals that are family or health-related. The most important thing is that you know your goals, as this is the best way to move forward. Also, make sure you have a goal that you can measure along with timelines.
“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible” —Tony Robbins
Start Small
One of the biggest mistakes people make is to start with goals that are too big or too difficult to achieve. This will set you back because you will feel like your goals are impossible to achieve, and this will cause you to quit. To prevent this from happening, start small and create goals that are realistic. Break down the eventual goal into small tasks and focus on these smaller tasks to begin with.
“Breaking big dreams into small steps is the way to move forward.” —Sheryl Sandberg
Join A Community
You don’t need to go through change on your own and can join different communities to help you achieve your goals. This is very effective because it will teach you how to trust others and will allow you to bond with others who are struggling as well. Having the support of a community will increase your chances of achieving your goals, so it’s worth attending these types of meetings.
“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much” – Helen Keller
Acknowledge The Different Stages Of Change
At first, change can be hard, and this is very normal. It’s natural to struggle in the beginning, and it’s possible to relapse, so it’s important that you keep trying. As you progress, things will get easier because once you commit fully to your goals, you will have an easier time maintaining good habits. Acknowledge these stages and adjust to them so that you know where you stand and work towards improving your behaviors by taking the necessary actions.
“I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” - Jimmy Dean
Take the setbacks in your stride – Don’t give up
In this journey of change, there could be times where things might not go your way, you may feel dejected and disheartened. Acknowledge that this is completely natural and happens to even the best of us. The idea is to acknowledge these setbacks, learn from them and keep moving on this journey. Most importantly, keep reminding yourself of your goal in these times of self-doubt and visualize how you would feel once you achieve it.
“There is no failure except in no longer trying.” ―Elbert Hubbard
If you’re looking for a life coach to guide you on the right path, the experts at The Calm Mind can help. Whether you need a mindfulness coach or want to learn about happiness, we can help, so if you are in Toronto, contact us today!