Why Change is Hard – and What to do About it

Photo credit: siilur from morguefile.com

Are you getting tons of emails about New Year’s Resolutions,
New Year Plans and Predictions, and other New Year Promises?
I am – almost to the point of weariness. Still, I truly want to encourage
you that TODAY – not later – you can be closer to your Passionate
Promise. (You know, I hate to call them “goals.”)

WHY CHANGE IS HARD – AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT!

Changing is hard. It implies that something is wrong with the way
you are right now, and it means moving into the unfamiliar.
Perhaps most challenging – it means overcoming the power of HABIT!
Habit is like it’s own gravitational pull on your dreams and promises.
How can you make 2010 a year of true change and growth? Here are
some of my thoughts. I am totally preaching to myself here. If any
of it helps you, than jump in with me!

1. Accept Yourself Just as You are Right Now – Shortcomings and All.
Get honest with yourself about what is holding you back, and just
accept that this is a perfect place to begin. Chances are if you look
closely, you will see areas of your life where you have grown so much
more than you give yourself credit for. Give yourself some grace here.
After all, the God who made you is extending HIS grace. What do you
gain by resisting such goodness?

2. Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable
No discipline seems pleasant at the moment, but afterwards it yields
great fruit. If you go into the year knowing that following your calling
will be uncomfortable much of the time, than when you feel the aches
and pains you won’t be tempted to quit. As my Marine Corp buddy
likes to tell me, “Pain is just weakness leaving the body!”
It’s true emotionally as well. Discomfort is just bad habit leaving your
game. Keep playing to win, and like a sore muscle, the discomfort
will soon lead to greater strength.

3. Be Transformed by Renewing Your Mind
I’ve interviewed dozens of high achievers on how they turned their
lives around, and I’ve read multiple dozens more. Almost without
exception, the turning point came through 2 things:
1. Realizing that SOMEONE believed in their potential
2. Becoming a disciple of new ways of thinking.

Ultimately no one else has the power to change your thinking.
Left unchecked, your mind will simple absorb the thoughts
beliefs and attitudes of those around you.
The Bible doesn’t say that God will renew your mind. YOU
have to do it. You get to find out who you truly are, and how
the Kingdom really works. The Truth you KNOW will make
you free. Do whatever you can to put Truth in front of your
eyes, in your ears and on your tongue at all times.

Truth is greater than deception.
Life is greater than death.
Joy is greater than sorrow.
Light is greater than darkness.
Mercy is greater than judgment.
Victory is greater than failure.
Action is greater than hesitation.

You don’t have to get it perfect this year. Just get it going!

I’ll be right here…in your corner!

Gina

Reach Your Full Potential – Joyfully.

Tagged as: achieve your goals · mindset mastery · success

paulttran

I like this post. It reminds us that all our dreams and “passionate promises” to be fulfilled are right outside of our comfort zones. Habits are powerful – good or bad – and if you treat “being comfortable with being uncomfortable” as a habit, you can always be in control and dictate success for yourself, regardless of environment or circumstances. And you're right – you need to love yourself, and there isn't anything wrong with you as-is…but 1 of the best things about yourself is that you have abilities and opportunities yet to be unlocked.

http://www.ginaparris.com GinaParris

Thanks Paul – I'm certainly going for the habit of “being comfortable with being uncomfortable!”

http://twitter.com/JohnLusher JohnLusher

Wow Gina, very good post, and like Paul, I like it! “Passionate Promises” is a good way to describe the things that will drive each of us. We must make these promises with ourselves to drive ourselves.

Accepting how you are and where you are and then promising to change it is a difficult path to take; but it is the most rewarding. Soul searching is necessary, and can lead to making changes that will help you reach further thank you ever imagined!

http://ProfitThruSocialMedia.com Edward Philipp

What a great game plan to start #Happy10 the year of Giving. Thanks Gina

http://www.ginaparris.com GinaParris

John – Thanks so much. I found myself a bit discouraged with a track record of unmet “goals” but happy that I almost always keep my promises – to myself and others.

Edward – Amen! I was just thinking how I want to be so much more of a giver.

Change is definitely easier when you're surrounded by the right kind of friends. Blessings on you!!

http://www.rodkirby.com Rod

Hey, Gina, for me, the biggest obstacle for me this year was getting uncomfortable. When we step outside of our comfort zones that's where we find success. Good post, and I'm definitely following your advice, 'You don’t have to get it perfect this year. Just get it going!”

http://twitter.com/RochelleVeturis Rochelle Veturis

Thank you for these refreshing words Gina. And you’re right, we’ve been inundated with lots material addressing the issues of new goals and resolutions for 2010. I enjoy this post because it compiles the meat of many of the other articles I’ve read in one, potent piece.

Being uncomfortable goes against our grain because as humans, we want to avoid pain at all costs. Our fear of pain often outweighs our pursuit of pleasure –that’s how much we want to evade it. These thoughts are fresh in my mind because in a few weeks, I’ll be hitting the gym. An unpleasant task for someone who worked out twice in 2009. But all good things come with sacrifice and usually, what we sacrifice is far less than what we receive (i.e. sacrifice eating a few unhealthy foods for extra energy, better health, nourishment and inch loss around those trouble zones). So thank you for helping us let go of our garbage and embrace the richer things in life. Freedom, abundance, hope, faith, peace of mind, and more.

Keep shining. I look forward to what you’ll do and where you’ll go next year Gina. It’s going to be an incredible adventure.

http://twitter.com/AndreaChin Andrea Chin

Thanks Gina for preaching to yourself out loud. This is exactly what I needed to read as I head into 2010 and continue to work on my inner self.

Your words in the comments back to John, “I found myself a bit discouraged with a track record of unmet “goals” but happy that I almost always keep my promises – to myself and others” resonated in my heart, intensified the impact this post had on me and encouraged me to continue to work on “my” change process.

Thank you for the kind and gentle message to reach my full potential and Thank you for being in my corner!

Always Grateful,
Andrea

http://www.ginaparris.com GinaParris

Rochelle! Thanks for calling my blog a “potent place.” Ha ha. It made me laugh – and I applaud you as you go from 2 annual workouts to regular ones. (Nothing like a wedding to help with the motivation there!)
Indeed, lets enjoy the adventure.

http://www.ginaparris.com GinaParris

Andrea – you touched my heart.Thanks so much for commenting. It's true. I have created so many disappointments for myself in the past, that it's probably the reason I'm so passionate about helping other people master their inner game. Thank God for grace!

Yippee! I love being in your corner.

http://www.justjthinking.blogspot.com/ jmsteele

Gina, this is dynamite! You managed to pack a tremendous amount of truth in a few short paragraphs. I was reading Chris Brogan and his 3 words for the new year. I already have two which dovetail well with your thoughts: Perspective and Shalom. Perspective is huge- if I could see myself, others and my world from the eyes of Him who made it all, it would be truly radical. I think this transformation IS possible by the renewing of my mind- absorb truth and reject lies. Shalom is an amazing word in Hebrew that combines the ideas of peace and wholeness, the idea of things being made right, the way they were always meant to be. This would literally be paradise! And it's possible…partly by going through the uncomfortableness of giving up our own sense of control and dominion to let God rule, in His way, in His time. It's an amazing journey and glad to be on it with you! Peace, J

http://www.ginaparris.com GinaParris

Jim – what great insight you'[re sharing. I LOVE thinking about that Hebrew word Shalom. It's not just a greeting there in Israel, but you're right. That peace means to have NOTHING missing and NOTHING broken. If the Prince of Peace lives in us and we live in Him, than we are whole right now too.
No need to find our elusive “higher self.” With the right PERSPECTIVE we are already seated in Heavenly places. That's a “high” we don't have to crash from! Thanks for chiming in. You've got me stirred up now.

Mike

Wow! Great blog post, very eye and soul opening. What do you recommend as books or methods to help with “2. Becoming a disciple of new ways of thinking.” I realize I must change my old habits and transform my way of thinking but do not know where to start. Thanks again and happy new year.

http://www.ginaparris.com GinaParris

Well Mike, what a nice and honest question! In the interest of self promotion of course, I recommend you start right here with all the free content on my blog and mini-course and then buy my CD or DVD's.

But really, I am STILL a hound at the library – tearing up the personal development section. I love Og Mandino, Zig Ziglar and others who happen to share my faith. I am going to make more video content reviewing products out there.

Thanks for commenting.

Mary

Wow thanks Gina! Great insight.

http://www.CarolGiambri.com/ Carol Giambri

Wow, just after reading another post here for first time, my eyes grabbed the word change. I see “change is inevitable” and with that comes technology from the typewriter to the computer, to land phone to cell phones, and more. Love the word “change” but having a health ministry, not pursuing online, few are banging down my doors for this great information. But, business is not the same as years back so change is necessary, but not compromising “authenticity.” May be putting up my website, http://www.ChoosingChangeToday.com. Love the name, but truthfully many are not excited to change. I hear the voice of Les Brown always speaking in my head–he's such a motivator.
http://www.ginaparris.com GinaParris

Oh Carol, change is a FABULOUS topic. Our friend Johnny Campbell has built himself a huge speaking platform by being the “007 of Change- Transition Man.” You absolutely just need more visibility and you WILL find people banging down your doors, especially when they face the music to “change or die” where their health is concerned. Keep it up! Thanks for sharing.
http://www.CarolGiambri.com/ Carol Giambri

Thanks so much Gina for your encouragement; however, some mentors are telling me people don't look to change so hard topic to get into. I suppose I need Johnny Campbell's wisdom here, but you knowing him is a great endorsement. Thanks again.

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http://www.ginaparris.com GinaParris

Oh Carol, change is a FABULOUS topic. Our friend Johnny Campbell has built himself a huge speaking platform by being the “007 of Change- Transition Man.” You absolutely just need more visibility and you WILL find people banging down your doors, especially when they face the music to “change or die” where their health is concerned. Keep it up! Thanks for sharing.
http://www.CarolGiambri.com/ Carol Giambri

Thanks so much Gina for your encouragement; however, some mentors are telling me people don't look to change so hard topic to get into. I suppose I need Johnny Campbell's wisdom here, but you knowing him is a great endorsement. Thanks again.

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