“Everyone thinks of changing the world but no one thinks of changing himself,” wrote Leo Tolstoy. Here are a few concepts that have helped me change for the better and accomplish my goals.
1. Find your true north
Strive for something that makes you happy. Whether it’s more education or finding a hobby, be clear about choosing a habit-changing goal that’s based on your own interests-not another person’s wishes for you.
2. Be your own heroine
If you feel you’re falling behind, picture yourself as you will feel when you’ve achieved your goal. Don’t think about what you’re sacrificing to accomplish it or ways that you might fail. See your goal as the positively inevitable future. Picturing yourself as a hero can turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy.
3. Use your homing device
As Dr. Beverly Potter says, “Compelling targets have a magnetic force that pull you towards them.” Look inside yourself to identify your most powerful motivation or passionate interestwhat makes you tick.
4. Find a support structure.
Surround yourself with people committed to improving themselves. For evolution toward your goal, plant yourself firmly among those who reinforce your path.
5. Avoid detours
“The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which to burn,” writes David Russell, director of the Forgiveness Project, London School of Economics. Notice the patterns that sidetrack you from your goal. What time of day or day of the week are you most easily distracted? What friends or colleagues hinder you? Avoid these barriers.
6. Head in the right direction
See how the changes you make positively affect your self-image and your relationships with others. How are others close to you reacting? What new experiences occur? Your surroundings will help you decide if you’re headed in the right direction.
7. Be your best
Find your strongest life. How? Gain the most satisfaction by honing your top skill – using it more often, shedding the others as much as you can. That way you will worry less, enjoy more and be more appreciated and sought after.
8. Plan a reward. Before attempting a new goal, decide how you’ll celebrate once you’ve accomplished it. The larger the goal, the larger the reward should be. Let others who supported you savor it with you. You might be an inspiration for their decision to make a life change.
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i use a combo of shea butter and aloe vera moisturizer. Works great. I use shea butter on my lips, around my eyes and nose (dry areas), My father swears by vasoline.
p.s. I dropped your name on Gina's post, Barb. ;)
Thanks for the guidelines. From what I’ve read, any type of change, personal, organizational, etc., starts with change in the individual first.
And Olga, what specific insights have helped you evoke a change in yourself?
warmly
Kare
Excellent advice….thank you…and I love the true north phrase. It’s one of my favorites. I keep wondering what is my great true north….maybe it isn’t one great thing but many small things that align in a similar direction…thoughts to think on…..thank you…..
Thanks Kare,
Great advice. I have to sort my fanancial papers and have time off from work to do it in the next two days. It is noon on the first day and haven’t started yet. I will be seeing my goal as I start to sift through it.
I will be gatering bills, payment stubs, calculator,in one room. Put on some music on and get to it. Just seeing me doing it is uplifting. The results will be more than rewarding. Although it is ‘only’ my personnal finances, the outcome will affect everyday living and future.
Will be following this post and let you know how it goes. Wish me luck!
anir
Very nice Kare.Thanks!
“Be your own heroine” is a great idea. There are few, if any, heroine stories in classical literature and mythology that resonate now – think of Penelope weaving and reveaving while she waits for Odysseus to return and fends off other suitors, or Joan of Arc, martyr in a masculine, warrior model, etc. We need new heroines to help us visualize and track the feminine journey. If we are not the dragon-slayers, who then are we? What are the hallmarks of the new heroine’s journey?