Change is such a hard thing for people. At the same time, everyone wants change. People want to be thinner. To quit smoking. To be more active. To learn a craft. To start hiking. To read more. To spend more time with the family. To be more organized. To be exercise more. To quit drinking. To save money. To get out of debt.
For most people the want isn't strong enough for them to overcome the obstacles people face in regards to change. Results don't happen fast enough so people give up. This is really common in situations of losing weight (working out and dieting). People go to the gym or work out daily but don't see results fast enough so they quit. It obviously wasn't working to begin with right?
People are afraid of the unknown, so it's easier to stay with what they do know. It's easier to stay in abusive relationships because they know what is coming verses leaving the relationship and not knowing what is to come. It is easier to stay in a job you are familiar with because the "what ifs" in a new job are too scary to face. What if you don't like it? What if you don't get along with your supervisor? What if you miss your old job? What if it's too hard?
People take on too much change at once and end up falling into their old habits because they can't keep up with all the changes or stress that may come with the changes. The best examples of this are new years revolutions. People who are going to "work out, eat healthy, quit smoking......" by February they aren't doing any of it because they took on too much.
People are creatures of habit. It takes 12 weeks to make your body and/or mind get used to something new. Before that, it is all actual effort to change your habits. Some changes take more work then others.
Generally people want change but lack the motivation to do the work it takes to change. It takes bravery and the ability to feel uncomfortable until the change becomes comfortable and routine.
It also takes motivation. Finding that motivation is not easy. This challenge is almost as bad as the change. And sometimes, it's even harder because as people get used to change, motivation changes!
So here's to my changes. I can't tell them all here just yet. However, I am doing the following:
1. One 8 oz glass of water for every soda
2. 1 hour of gym time 5 days a week
3. For every negative comment I tell myself, I will say one positive one
4. I will make an effort to let others know, I appreciate them
5. I will create a self-care plan and adjust it as needed
What will you do?
We are making some changes here as well. Some are new changes and some are changes I have been working on for a while. I have lost 55lbs in the last 2 years (had a pregnancy in the middle of that) and I have a little more to go and then just need to stay in the habit so I can stay healthy.
ReplyDeleteWe don't watch a lot of tv but we are cutting back even more and reading more with the kids.
We are learning to use positive reinforcement and different techniques to change unwanted behavior in more of a positive way.
My personal goal right now and a big one is growing in my faith and leading my children into a strong relationship with God.
It isn't always as on track as I would like it to be but those are a few of our goals for our family and we continue to work on them.
One activity I am doing (per a suggestion of a friend of mine) is to write down 10 things I would like to do to be healthier or change in my life. I then circle the things that I am doing already and pick something on the list I want to start to work towards the next week... once I have mastered the new goal, pick something else from my list and so on... until all 10 things are incorporated into my life.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a good activity for everyone to try. And it sure beats New Years Resolutions.