You hate being this way, but can’t bring yourself to change.
You’re constantly overwhelmed, down, and anxious. There’s so much to do but so little time. So maybe you procrastinate, feeling too overwhelmed to start on your endless list of tasks.
Well, we know how you feel, and we’re here to help you find the motivation to better yourself, make lasting positive life changes, and get control of your life and well-being.
There can be many obstacles standing in the way of changing your life for the better and becoming the person you want to be.
Maybe you’re stuck in a routine that’s hard to break.
Maybe you’re fighting depression and find it hard to do anything more than the minimal daily tasks.
Or maybe you’re too overwhelmed with your list of things to do that you can’t comprehend having to fit anything else into your routine.
Whatever the reason is, know that it’s not too late to change.
It may be hard, and it won’t happen overnight, but you can do it.
All it takes is a game plan, a clear focus of your goals, and determination to change.
Maybe you need to lose weight and start making healthier choices like walking, and making a home cooked meal, rather than hitting the drive-thru one more time this week. Or maybe you need to quit that job you’ve felt stuck in and find a career that makes you feel truly fulfilled.
Maybe you need to find more time for your spouse, or your kids. Or you have a bad habit or addiction you need to kick.
Whatever it is, if you follow these few steps, you can start to reach your goals, whatever they may be.
1) Self-Evaluate
Take a step back and look at your life. What are the things you want to change?
Take these things and make them into a list. This list can be on a piece of paper, on your phone, your computer, or even a whiteboard or bulletin board.
After you’ve made the list, break it down into achievable goals. Then number and prioritize these goals. Put them somewhere you’re bound to see them every day. Set reminders on your phone or create a bulletin board with your goals and progress.
It’s easy to find a burst of motivation and jump into this gung-ho. But a day or two later you become overwhelmed with the number of things you need to change and become frustrated and depressed that you aren’t hitting your goals.
Rather than trying to change everything at once, try to pick the top three things on your list. Focus on these for a short amount of time, two weeks to a month. It takes 21 days to form a habit.
You may slip up, but because you made these goals simple and obtainable, you can get right on track the very next day.
When these goals become effortless habits, move onto the next one, or two, or three. Just remember to not push yourself too much.
2) Find your motivation
This can be the hardest part. Without motivation, how can you change?
Everyone has a different thing that makes them want to change. Maybe you’re a parent who wants to make healthier choices so you can play with your children. Maybe you have an unhealthy habit or addiction that you need to kick before it does permanent damage.
Or maybe you’re just not happy with the person you are right now.
Whatever that reason is, make it your focus. If you want to become a leader in your job, make everything you do lead to that. Start acting like a leader. If you can, help your fellow coworkers, and learn as much as you can about the job you want. Start dressing for the job you want, not the job you have.
Or maybe you watch all these superhero movies and dream of being fit like that. While you may not have Wonder Woman’s abilities, you can train and push yourself to be strong and in shape.
3) Make a Vision Board
One of the best ways to keep track of your progress is making a vision board. This can be a bulletin or whiteboard where you keep track of every step towards your goal.
Keep your list of goals on this board, where you can see it every day.
Find pictures, quotes, or anything that makes you feel motivated on the board. Maybe it’s a picture of your family. Maybe that application to the new job or school you’ve been holding out on.
Make a calendar and mark where you want to be by when. Just don’t let yourself become discouraged if you don’t meet your goals. It will happen. Don’t give up.
4) Find an Accountability Partner
One of the hardest parts of making positive life changes is finding the motivation to push yourself.
Not everyone can do it.
That’s why most people have accountability partners, whether it’s a spouse, best friend, or personal trainer.
Don’t know anyone that would be willing to help you on this journey? There are many Facebook groups devoted to self-help, health, or fitness where you could find others with the same goal as you that would love to encourage you on your journey.
You can change, it just takes one step at a time. Just think of how you will feel in six months when you look back at and see all the progress you’ve made.
(h/t Better Change Project)