The New Year is here and with that comes new possibilities.
Limitless possibilities filled with the hope of a better tomorrow and change that will magnificently impact who we are, what we are and why we are if we choose to embrace it.
Maybe you feel burnt out or stuck in a rut. Maybe you’re frustrated with the way this last year turned out.
Maybe you need change and not just for the sake of change.
Maybe your mind, body and soul are crying out for ‘dramatic, electrifying, curl your toes, warm your heart, butterflies in your tummy’ kind of change.
So why not make a conscious decision to create change within your life rather than committing to yet another empty resolution?
Most resolutions are, after all, merely wishes made with little desire to follow through. Change on the other hand will come in all shapes and sizes.
It can be made in the smallest of gestures and felt in the tiniest of ways. It can also take shape on a daily basis if we believe that what we do, say and fill our minds with has the ability to mold that change.
7 Steps to Creating Positive Change for the New Year
1. See it, feel it, believe in it
Until you are ready and willing to make a change in your life, the possibility of change will continue to elude you. As the saying goes..”when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” The same is true for change in all of our lives.
Subconsciously we hang onto all of our past mistakes, bad habits and self-defeating beliefs.
Letting go of those and embracing change is not easy and in fact, can be quite painful. But the end result and the feeling of freedom that follows is more then worth the journey.
2. Embrace it
Simply being aware of change is not enough. You must embrace the opportunity and encourage the possibility within your own life.
Have you ever felt like you were standing on the edge of a cliff, ready to make a leap but something was holding you back?
That something is fear of the unknown. Fear of change. What possibility is passing you by right this moment because you are afraid to make that leap?
3. Romance it
Take that change out on a date and live with it for a bit. Is it the change you were seeking or maybe just a pit stop on your way to the ultimate opportunity?
Whether it is your final destination or just a much needed night out on the town; your change will happen when and if you are ready to accept it.
Ask yourself this question: What are you risking by not stepping outside of the invisible bubble you’ve surrounded yourself with and leaping into the light of possibility?
4. Understand it
Understanding how change affects you and how you in turn respond is important insight.
Look back on previous change within your life; how did you react? Did you seize the opportunity and embrace it with open arms or did you fight it and push back with all of your might?
Maria Robinson once said, “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”
What change can you embark upon that will breathe life into your new ending?
5. Accept it
Once you understand, embrace and believe in your change, the next step is acceptance.
Acceptance is the moment you realize that change is an inevitable part of our lives and allows us to grow beyond our own preconceived limitations.
While last year might have brought unwanted change into your life, now is the time to create your own destiny and map that change without the tug of woulda, coulda or shoulda’s.
6. Don’t Get Derailed
The hardest part to any new endeavor is the anxiety felt when you believe you aren’t making progress fast enough. Stay focused on what is most important to you about this change. What end result do you desire and how will you feel when you get there?
Change is never easy and you will find yourself feeling frustrated and defeated along the way. Don’t give up!
Track your progress through a journal, calendar or even a girlfriend. However you prefer to keep track of all that’s transpiring in your life, make sure you reflect on your accomplishments.
It can make a world of difference on those days you want to throw in the towel.
7. Celebrate Your Success!
The road to change is littered with broken promises, unfulfilled goals and feelings of doubt and self-worth. Don’t become a tragedy along that path.
Strive to make your change one that sticks by celebrating your success along the way. A celebration can be a scoop of your favorite ice cream or the new pair of shoes you have been dying to buy.
The most important part of this is that you don’t deny yourself the simple pleasure of patting yourself on the back and saying “job well done!”
Speaking from personal experience, I believe the single most important step above is #6 – Don’t Get Derailed. When we make changes in our lives, it’s because we’re not feeling the balance we inherently know is needed to live life to its fullest – however that is defined for each of us. It’s so cliche, but today’s culture of instant gratification clouds our perspective on the effort, discipline, and TIME required to make a real change in our lives. So often we fail to make changes we want or need because we’ve given ourselves unrealistic expectations as to when we should be reaping the rewards of that change. Real change – regardless of the goal – requires incredible strength, commitment, and investment of time. Keeping track of your milestones – no matter how big or small – will remind you that you are, indeed, making progress toward your goal and your reward is closer than it was yesterday, last week, last month, or even last year. Be patient, remain committed, and change most certainly will come. 🙂
Wonderful post. I am one of those people that were not satisfied with my past year and am ready for some exciting change for 2014. I am ready to see it, feel it and believe in it! Thank you for the great advice and here’s to a more fruitful and successful 2014!
Hi Rebekah,
awesome suggestions.
Yes, accepting where we are at and making adjustments for a life that feels better is a great recipe.
I love the way you say ‘Romance it’.
Knowing that we can take it for a ‘test drive’ would make it a lot easier to have a go at something new than feeling like we have to go in ‘hook, line and sinker.’
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!
Love and Light
Yorinda
Hi Rebekah,
I agree with your 7 steps. And I would like to emphasize on staying focused on what is most important. This is sometimes we feel hard to do. There are many obstacles in front of us when we are trying to focus.
By the way I find valuable thoughts from this posting.
Thank you for sharing the 7 great steps.
What a great post! I think you covered it all! I like the idea of romancing possibility… it helps when stuck to look at things in different ways and the idea of romancing is a fun way to do just that!
It’s kind of like taking it out on a first date. You’ll know pretty quickly if you like it or not and if it’s right for you.
Hello Rebekah! Creating a positive change! Wow What an Awesome Post! So many wonderful tips I am going to have to go back and take some notes after my comment here.
I do know that it all takes time but this was the biggest hurdle for me in 2013! I did go through a lot of changes and now need to get back on track.. Thanks for the reminder.. Chery :))
Change can be totally overwhelming and derailing Chery. Hurray for you pushing through it and getting back on track. That will feel so good!!
Such a great post, Rebekah! While I’m tired of so much instability in my life, your points help remind me of “the big picture.” So, thanks!
Hi Louise! It is easy to get caught up in our own day-to-day world and forget about the big picture. It’s nice to take a step back every once in a while and appreciate all of our accomplishments and where the positive changes in our lives have taken us.
Excellent advice on managing change Rebekah. Personally I’m in a major transition mode this year and instigating many changes in my life – which is not new for me. I tend to shake things up every 8 to 10 years whether they need it or not! I know a lot of people struggle with change, but if one can just learn to embrace the learning and growing part of it all it can be quite a rewarding time. Thanks for the inspiration, and wishing you a happy and healthy New Year!
I, like you, love to shake things up Marquita. I guess it’s just my nature. I get bored if things remain the same for too long. I enjoy change, but know that most people don’t embrace it quite the way I do. I love your point about learning and growing. That’s what it’s all about!
Great post Rebekah. I think acceptance is a big part of success.
Quite often people are deep down afraid of success. This is because it can radically change their lives, which is scary. Also many people seem to deep down not feel like they deserve success.
These can create blocks where a person unintentionally will sabotage their own efforts.
So if you want success, constantly remind yourself that it will improve your life, and you deserve it!