How to make important changes in your life

They say that there are only two things that you cannot avoid – death and taxes. If you can afford a good tax accountant, you can certainly avoid a lot of tax but there is something else which cannot be avoided – change. The world is in a constant state of change. It always has been but since the advent of technology, it seems that change comes more frequently. While you may be able to avoid change for a short while; avoidance is never an effective long-term solution. There will be times when you must make important changes in your life and it is far better that you approach these situations with commitment and an intention to be successful with the changes. These can be stressful times but with the right mindset, you can make important changes in your life with relative ease and comfort. It is important that you remember that there is a reason why you must make important changes in your life. Change, although usually seen as stressful, can actually help you get over some hurdles and move ahead with your life. In other words, where the status quo is unacceptable, there is little choice; you absolutely must make changes in your life. Yet, instituting change can be quite challenging. The purpose of this article is to show you how you can go about bringing a much-desired change to your life.

How to make important changes in your life

When you want to make important changes in your life, the following strategies will help you to stay focused and reduce the stress and anxiety that you experience along the way.

1. Be specific about the important changes you want to make in your life

Write down in a sentence or two what change you seek. Be as specific as possible. It is not enough to say that you do not want a particular thing in your life. You need to be specific about what you want e.g. don’t just say that you no longer want to be in your current job. Be as specific as possible about the job you would like. As you proceed with your job search you can further refine your criteria for a new job.

The clearer you are about what you want, the easier it is for you to find what you are looking for. It is also easier for friends, family, and colleagues to identify and recommend potential opportunities for you.

If you need to set clear goals for the changes you wish to make in your life, check out the Ultimate Guide to Goal Setting.

2. Know why you want the change

Being aware of your reasons for change will deepen your understanding of yourself and what you wish for your future. Also, when you make important changes in your life, there will be times when you struggle and you may even feel like giving up. However, understanding your reasons for making the changes and, how you will benefit from the change is essential. This level of understanding is the greatest form of motivation. You simply have to remind yourself of the reasons and the benefits and you will soon regain your motivation and drive to carry on.

Having clarity now pays off later. So, before you rush into major changes, take the time to gain clarity about the important changes you wish to make.

3. Explore all options for how to bring on the change

There are many different ways in which you can make important changes in your life. Before you rush into action, take a little time to review your options. When you are initially listing your options, suspend judgement – just write down whatever comes into your mind. You can then review all options, assessing the pros and the cons. It is rare that any of the options will fill you with 100% confidence so, pick the one that gives you the best feeling and take some action. You can always make adjustments as you go along.

4. Focus on making one change at a time

If you attempt to make numerous important changes in your life at the same time, you will be confused, stressed and anxious. It is hard to juggle a number of things at the same time. Another major issue with making numerous changes at once is that you will find it incredibly difficult to determine what is working and what is not e.g. if you are experiencing a benefit, it is hard to determine which change has brought about that benefit.

Concentrate your energies on only one task. This will increase your chances of being successful. And, when you see that you can achieve one change, you’ll gain confidence in making other changes.

5. Find your confidence

Gather your self-assurance and ignite your efforts to begin making changes. You don’t need to be 100% confident in order to make a start. In fact, if you wait until you are 100% confident, you will never be ready to begin. Instead, start with small actions and with each success, your confidence and self-belief will grow.

6. Use positive self-talk

It is estimated that you have about 60,000 thoughts per day. The quality of these thoughts can have a significant impact on your performance. You cannot eliminate all negative talk but you can increase your positive thoughts by making the effort to speak positively to yourself. Tell yourself that you know you can successfully make the changes. Reassure yourself that you have the necessary skills and strengths to succeed.

7. Discuss your wishes with anyone who is impacted

If others are going to be impacted when you make important changes in your life, you should let them know at the earliest opportunity. Not only is this the honest approach but you are likely to find some allies who will support you along the way. The support you get from others could be just what you need to carry you across the finish line.

In addition, when you tell the people you respect that you are going to make changes, they will hold you accountable. This will give you extra motivation.

8. Refuse to let anyone or anything stop you

When you make important changes in your life, there will usually be some people who disagree with you. Some of them may actively work against you as you try to make the changes. This is a natural occurrence and you should let it deter you from action. By all means, listen carefully to the opinions of those whom you love and trust. Then, proceed ahead on your well-planned course, taking their ideas into consideration if you found them useful.

9. Find a great mentor

It’s wonderful to have direct contact with someone who’s done what you’re striving to do. You can ask questions and learn from their experiences. This will help you to avoid many problems and also to accept some of the challenges and obstacles that you will meet along the way. By having an idea of what lies ahead, you will be better able to cope with both the good times and the bad.

While it would be ideal to have direct contact with someone who has been through the change that you are making, you can also learn from other sources e.g. books, blogs, training courses etc. The important thing is that you learn from the wisdom of someone who has already walked in your shoes.

Making important changes in your life can be stressful but if done for the right reasons, it will be very rewarding once completed. When you discover that you can create the life you deserve by making some adjustments here and there, you can move closer toward your goals in life with greater passion and confidence. It is the pursuit and achievement of your goals that brings the greatest joy to your life. However, to achieve your goals you must first accept that if you do not already have the life you desire; continuing to do the same things will not bring you that life. If you want to improve your situation, you must make important changes in your life. The 9 strategies above will make those changes easier and less stressful for you.