How to Make Change

So many people I talk to want things to be different in their life. Maybe not huge things like to move to a different country, change careers, or travel for a year. But usually more subtle things. Like have a better relationship with their spouse or kids. To be a bit more in shape. Have more time to spend on what matters most to them. Be less anxious, angry, or depressed. Reach more people with their work. Just feel better, happier, more content.

They want something to change, shift, grow. 

What do you want to be a bit different, richer, deeper? What do you want to shift? What do you want to be better at? Where do you want to grow? How do you want to feel?

I’m sure you can come up with at least a few things. 

But now, what are doing about it?

You cannot simultaneously stay the same and change.

If you are staying the same, basing your decisions on the same things, making the same choices, falling into the same habits, then you’re going to be exactly where you’ve always been. You can’t expect change when you’re doing everything the same.

I know someone who desperately wants things to change. She wants to feel better about herself, her life, her kids. She currently feels miserable, lost, down, and apathetic about her whole life and situation. She wouldn’t hesitate a second if you asked her if she wants things to change. Yes, she does.

But if we were to dissect her day today, it would look exactly the same as every other day that has gone before, last week, last month, last year. She is desperate for change, but she’s living everyday like a broken record. You cannot expect to change if you stay the same.

You cannot simultaneously stay the same and change.

Pay close attention now, I’m going to switch two words and I think you’ll like it.

You cannot simultaneously change and stay the same.

This means if you change something, something changes. That’s a promise. If you base your decisions on something important, if you make different choices, if you change your habits, then it’s impossible for something NOT to shift. You can expect things to change when you do something different. 

Do you want something to change? What little things can you do differently today to change your tomorrow? Feel something different, do something different, be something different.