The do's and dont's of being willing
In order to change our lives for the better we have to be willing to do some things. Here are my do's and don'ts of being willing.
Change is not instantaneous. Whether you are wanting to quit drinking, lose weight, or stop or start anything, remember that change takes time. Don't set such high goals right out of the gate that you set yourself up for failure. Set realistic goals in the area you want to change. When I first started addressing the financial mess in my life I felt completely overwhelmed and thought I could never get out of debt. Yet, someone taught me to break it all down. The first thing I learned to do was create and run a budget. I learned that sending as little as $5 to a debt was better than sending nothing at all, and it created the habit of paying the bill every month. I learned that money management is a skill that takes time and consistent effort. Most, those who came from nothing and created their own wealth, will tell you that there are ups and downs. The key is to take it a step at a time. Set clear and realistic goals.
Most things we want to change will not be linear. My own life has not been all uphill and sunny from the time I made a decision to turn my life around. My first decision to stop using drugs and alcohol was in my teens. Seriously, I had a drinking problem that started in high school. I knew during that time period me and alcohol didn't go well together. I made attempts going all the way back to that time period to quit drinking. My first taste of any treatment/counseling for a substance use disorder was when I was in the military. It took until my mid 20's for any consistent length of sobriety took hold. I say that to say this.......keep trying. No change really worth making is going to come easy. There will be set backs along the way......the key is to KEEP TRYING NO MATTER WHAT, DON'T GIVE UP.
Do ask for help. Do meet regularly with people who support you in your change. Surround yourself with those who have walked through the same change you want to achieve. This is key my friends, key to your success. There are people who are willing to mentor you through your change. I am not talking about people and/or businesses who have the latest get rich scheme or instant weight loss pill.....no, stay far away from them. Find people who have done it in a way that really works. There is no instant fix for the change we want to make. Sure, you can see instant results if you stop drinking and drugging, but lasting change will require a change in your thinking and behavior. That is where the real work comes in. Same with our physical health. True physical health takes changing our diet and physical activity levels for the long haul, not just through taking the latest pill. Find help that is truly going to help you for the long run.
Willingness is something that will ebb and flow. One day you will feel like conquering the world and you will be willing to do anything it takes. The next you will feel like there is no way in the world you can make the change. From early on, from day one of your decision to change, develop habits that can get you through each day. Some days you will accomplish a lot, and others, you will just get through the day. Stay willing, at least enough for that one day, to get to the next. Write down where you want to be. If you have a desire to stop drinking or using drugs.......right it down in this form "I enjoy being in sobriety and feel great about my life in recovery". Put it somewhere where you will see it everyday. When you read your affirmation, come up with at least one thing for that day you will do to achieve that goal. Whatever your goal, write the affirmation as if it has already happened. Put it on your bathroom mirror. Read it everyday. And no matter what, don't give up. You are worth all you want to achieve.
Change is not instantaneous. Whether you are wanting to quit drinking, lose weight, or stop or start anything, remember that change takes time. Don't set such high goals right out of the gate that you set yourself up for failure. Set realistic goals in the area you want to change. When I first started addressing the financial mess in my life I felt completely overwhelmed and thought I could never get out of debt. Yet, someone taught me to break it all down. The first thing I learned to do was create and run a budget. I learned that sending as little as $5 to a debt was better than sending nothing at all, and it created the habit of paying the bill every month. I learned that money management is a skill that takes time and consistent effort. Most, those who came from nothing and created their own wealth, will tell you that there are ups and downs. The key is to take it a step at a time. Set clear and realistic goals.
Most things we want to change will not be linear. My own life has not been all uphill and sunny from the time I made a decision to turn my life around. My first decision to stop using drugs and alcohol was in my teens. Seriously, I had a drinking problem that started in high school. I knew during that time period me and alcohol didn't go well together. I made attempts going all the way back to that time period to quit drinking. My first taste of any treatment/counseling for a substance use disorder was when I was in the military. It took until my mid 20's for any consistent length of sobriety took hold. I say that to say this.......keep trying. No change really worth making is going to come easy. There will be set backs along the way......the key is to KEEP TRYING NO MATTER WHAT, DON'T GIVE UP.
Do ask for help. Do meet regularly with people who support you in your change. Surround yourself with those who have walked through the same change you want to achieve. This is key my friends, key to your success. There are people who are willing to mentor you through your change. I am not talking about people and/or businesses who have the latest get rich scheme or instant weight loss pill.....no, stay far away from them. Find people who have done it in a way that really works. There is no instant fix for the change we want to make. Sure, you can see instant results if you stop drinking and drugging, but lasting change will require a change in your thinking and behavior. That is where the real work comes in. Same with our physical health. True physical health takes changing our diet and physical activity levels for the long haul, not just through taking the latest pill. Find help that is truly going to help you for the long run.
Willingness is something that will ebb and flow. One day you will feel like conquering the world and you will be willing to do anything it takes. The next you will feel like there is no way in the world you can make the change. From early on, from day one of your decision to change, develop habits that can get you through each day. Some days you will accomplish a lot, and others, you will just get through the day. Stay willing, at least enough for that one day, to get to the next. Write down where you want to be. If you have a desire to stop drinking or using drugs.......right it down in this form "I enjoy being in sobriety and feel great about my life in recovery". Put it somewhere where you will see it everyday. When you read your affirmation, come up with at least one thing for that day you will do to achieve that goal. Whatever your goal, write the affirmation as if it has already happened. Put it on your bathroom mirror. Read it everyday. And no matter what, don't give up. You are worth all you want to achieve.
Comments
Post a Comment