Bookmark Website  | Free Registration  | The Team
The Lounge  | Champions  | The Wire |  Schedule |  Audio  |  Arcade  |  The Top Ten  |  Historical  |  Email  |  Video

Elements of Change


The key to achieving more than you currently are, no matter which area of your life or work you are focusing in on now, is change. The old saying rings true: If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you've already got. If you keep eating and exercising the way you currently are, you will weigh the same a year from now. If you continue to sell to the same people on the same schedule, you will make the same amount of money next year.

In order to move forward, we must change.

As I have worked with people, both in a professional setting and on a personal basis, I have found two things to be true about change. One, it is simple. Two, it is not easy. That is, the concept of change is simple to grasp. People or organizations are quick to say, "Oh, I know we need to change." Simple.

But where the problem starts, and why most people and organizations do not change, is because it is not easy to change. But, I believe, if the process is well thought out, and if we have the guts and determination to carry it out, change can happen, and we can move on to more fulfilled lives.

With that said, let me give you what I consider the elements of change.

Discontentment with your current state. The first step in the process of change is to not want to be where you currently are. You must be discontent with it. If you are overweight, you must say, "I will not accept this anymore." If you are in debt, you must say, "I cannot tolerate this any longer." If you have broken relationships, you must say, "I will not live with this." This is a decision to change and not accept the status-quo.

The picture of your preferred outcome. What is it that you want to change to? It absolutely is not enough to say "I need to change." It must be: "I am going to change to..." This becomes the goal. I would encourage you to get a mental picture of it formulated in your mind. Get a real picture of it if it is that tangible. Perhaps write yourself a short essay, extolling the virtues of what life will be like when you get to the changed state.

New associations with the two states. You must begin to associate your current state you are in with pain, and the state you want to be in with pleasure. Let's take weight for example. We tend to think of ice cream, mounds of it, with pleasure. I know that I do. Especially chocolate chip mint. Last night we went to some friend's house and we had some ice cream. Normal portions. I don't like to eat normal portions. I like huge portions of ice cream. There is an association of pleasure there. But what I did to overcome the urge to eat scoop after scoop was to associate huge portions to being overweight, not the pleasure of the taste. I also associated not eating the ice cream with feeling better about myself. Then when it comes to exercise, I work on associating the exercise and weight-lifting with the pleasure of fitting into my clothes rather than the pain my muscles feel every time I do it. This help me win the battle of the mind.

Develop a plan of short, simple steps. "I am going to lose fifty pounds in two months." "I will sell 500% more next month." These are examples of change that are good goals to have long term, but too big for the time allotted - and this is havoc on change!

If your goals are too big in too short of time, you will fail and become discouraged. Then you will quit and decide change can't be accomplished. Instead, you must have short, workable, attainable goals if you are going to see real change happen and stay.

"I am going to lose five pounds a month for ten months."

"We are going to sell 6% more each month this year (That would double your business each year)"

These are the size steps you need to take. Then you will build victory after victory.

Discipline yourself. Sorry but this is where it is up to you. At the heart of change is the ability to discipline ourselves. I cannot lose your weight. Your mom cannot go out and make sales calls for you. The only real obstacle standing between your current state and your desired outcome is you! So do everything you can to get yourself motivated to change! Force yourself to get out of bed and get to work on your goals! Discipline yourself. Choose to make the right decision.

Reward yourself when you have made the change. That's right: reward yourself. You have worked hard and exerted a lot of self-discipline to get there! You deserve it!

About The Author:

Chris Widener is a popular speaker and writer as well as the President of Made for Success, a company helping individuals and organizations turn their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives and achieve their dreams.

To see Chris "live" at the upcoming Jim Rohn Weekend Event as he speaks on the subject of Secrets of Influence go to http://Chris-Widener.InspiresYOU.com/ or call 800-929-0434.


MORE RESOURCES:

Goal.com

I Have A Lot Of Motivation - Brocchi
Goal.com, Switzerland - 4 hours ago
Today was his first day as a Biancoceleste player, and he talked about his motivation ahead of this new adventure. "I have great motivation. ...
Kaka: I’ll Be Back For Genoa Goal.com
all 2 news articles


Harrison Street uses magical motivation to start new year
Delaware News, OH - 4 hours ago
By AMANDA RANALLI Harrison Street Elementary School kicked off the school year with its first assembly on Tuesday, Aug. 26, at 10 am This initial schoolwide ...


Self-determination theory: a framework for the recovery paradigm
Adv Psychiatric Treat (subscription) - 53 minutes ago
Through an extensive programme of empirical research, investigators have identified three underlying human needs that are fundamental to motivation and ...
Another step towards understanding recovery? INVITED COMMENTARY ON ... Adv Psychiatric Treat (subscription)
Self-determination theory: a framework for the recovery paradigm Adv Psychiatric Treat (subscription)
Another step towards understanding recovery? INVITED COMMENTARY ON ... Adv Psychiatric Treat (subscription)
all 4 news articles


True motivation key to achieve balance
BCLocalNews, Canada - 1 hour ago
Most entrepreneurs will state freedom as their main motivating factor – freedom to work in their own way and do things the way they want. ...


Canada.com

Raikkonen says his motivation as high as ever
guardian.co.uk, UK - Aug 28, 2008
LONDON, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Ferrari's Formula One world champion Kimi Raikkonen has rejected suggestions that he lacks motivation after a string of ...
Raikkonen - I'm not cruising into trough MSN India
Raikkonen keen to silence doubters. Yahoo! Eurosport
all 1,934 news articles


Christian Science Monitor

Terrorism thriller betrayed in the end
Globe and Mail, Canada - 15 hours ago
This would typically be the place where our antihero gets his motivation. He would reluctantly work for "the good guys," which would eventually and ...
Bold thriller aims high but misses its mark phillyBurbs.com
Directed by Jeffrey Nachmanoff Exclaim!
Review: Traitor Cinematical
Washington Times - Salon
all 487 news articles


China Daily

Ashlee Simpson's jeans motivation
China Daily, China - Aug 27, 2008
Ashlee Simpson has bought six pairs of size zero jeans to motivate her to lose weight. The singer - who is expecting her first child with husband Pete Wentz ...


Peer motivation was instrumental for new Cedar coach
Online Athens, GA - 18 hours ago
By Jeff Cochran | Staff Writer | Story updated at 11:22 pm on 8/28/2008 First-year Cedar Shoals coach Xarvia Smith was close to giving up on football when ...


Rocked Wallabies look for motivation in Elsom ban
The Canberra Times, Australia - Aug 27, 2008
THE Wallabies will use Rocky Elsom's controversial suspension as motivation in their bid to be the first Australian team for 45 years to win two Tests in a ...


NCAA Double-A Zone

UCLA to USC: Do not pass go, do not collect national championship ...
NCAA Double-A Zone, IN - 5 hours ago
As we get ready for the first college football weekend, third-ranked Southern California will begin its season with a little extra motivation than usual. ...
UCLA's Price escaped killing fields of LA to play football in Westwood Press-Enterprise
all 4 news articles

Motivation - Google News


Advertisement



Section Site Map - Submit News - Feedback - Comments - Advertise with Us

Copyright © 2006 Luminati Inc. All rights reserved.