Making change happen: A simple - yet effective - 5-step guide

3 min. read.

"How do I make change happen?" I stopped counting the amount of times I have been asked this question. Today is your lucky day, as I am going to share my tried and tested change strategy with you.

1.Get clear on your what & why

...and write it down. Examples: "I want to lose 15 kg 'cause I want to look great on my wedding." "I want to improve my networking skills 'cause I want to change my job." Place your statement somewhere where you can daily see it.

You have to make an active decision - a commitment - to change. External sources that told you to do so, like your partner, will not get you to where you want to be. Also good to know: "Change happens when the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change." Tony Robbins

2.Set up an action plan & plan backwards

Till when do you want to reach what? Be concrete and break down your target into small daily steps, e.g.: Instead of not eating anything and having a mental breakdown after two days, plan backwards: If I want to be 15 kgs lighter in six months, how many kgs do I have to lose per week?

What happened here psychologically? We got the as unachievable perceived target off the pedestal and on an acceptable level. You now know what you have to do daily, which has a positive, motivating effect on us.

3.Create a supportive infrastructure

With infrastructure I mean good habits, a positive environment and people. If you want to stop smoking, avoid places, which allow you to do so. If you want to be a better listener, spend time with people who are great listeners.

Create routines and invest in relationships that will support you in making change happen. And stay on this path, no matter what excuses or events might occur.

4.Stay focused & learn to say no

Learn to say no to opportunities that are not in line with the above target. I believe that you can do and achieve anything in life - but not everything. Multitasking is highly ineffective and frustrating. Stop doing it, please.

Instead of saying yes to every distraction and opportunity and only moving 1mm into every direction, focus on your key project and move 2cm towards your one target every day.

5.Be patient & celebrate mini successes

Patience is an art that can be learned. But it can be very challenging in the beginning. I realized that implementing milestones - mini successes - on your journey has a positive impact on your motivation.

Get clear on the rewards - e.g. a full spa day, a visit to a water park - and put them into practice after achieving each milestone.

Conclusion

Change takes time but it is possible if you commit to it and plan it in a first step. You are the director, creator, leader - or however you want to call it - of your life(style). Do not accept mediocrity. You deserve the best in life.

And remember: "For things to change, you must change!" Jim Rohn