The Patience to Change

The belief in the "magic bullet" leaves only one, defeating conclusion when success is not immediate: that you are not doing enough and must do more of the same. - Changing for Good

It's Sunday afternoon. We're at the end of the weekend, getting ready to go back to work, and while the weekend may have been relaxing, exciting, or an exhilarating combination of both, there's often a bit of anxiety around that which could have been, or of that which we want more. This is the time when our minds begin to spin, and when we land, we find that we've landed in critical mode.

If you're finding yourself evaluating the choices you've made over the last two days, or silently nit-picking your progress over this past month - we're creeping to the end of January, many of us had high expectations around what success would look like by now - remember that change takes time.  

Change does not happen over night. It is the result of consistent, persistent steps, taken day in and day out, to erase the habits which no longer serve us, and then to implement the new.

We are constantly bombarded by sound bites of information, reminding us of who, what, and how we should be. We process that information and expect instantaneous change.

Do not be discouraged! Remember to break your larger long term goals, into smaller attainable weekly and monthly goals. Most importantly, remember to applaud yourself along the way. Look at your tiny accomplishments, and give yourself credit for all of them. Each little success took work, and each tiny accomplishment is bringing you that much closer to your goal.

If you're laying bricks and you stop at the twentieth brick, throw up your hands and say, "This is too small, I'll never get a wall," you're right. You will never get a wall. If however, you look at that twentieth brick, take a break and say, "Wow, laying bricks is hard work! I have a much better appreciation for brick masons," you will get back on track, finish your wall, and for each brick you see, have a story to tell. 

Be kind to yourself, embrace each step along the way, and keep on keeping on. This is a journey - If you take it, you'll make it!

*********

Changing for Good - an excellent read for those working to push through habits that are no longer serving them.