Pebbles and Stones: A Perspective on Change in 2018
Trying to solve all your big problems at once? Stop.
The dictionary defines change as, "to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone".
The key factor in this definition is two-fold:
- "[...] what it is[...]" and
- "[...]what it would be if left alone."
When we think of a goal, we always picture ourselves in the future when we've achieved that goal. We transport ourselves to a place where we're rocking those new jeans or throwing our shirt off during a workout, or just being able to look in the mirror and go "Daaaaaaayuuuuuum!".
There's just one problem: We're not there yet.
When you set a goal, you have to acknowledge where you are currently. You have to take a look at yourself and accept where you are for you to take your first steps towards the change you want to seek.
Now, this is easier said than done, because for you to develop healthy habits that help you, you have to make changes that stop hurting you:
"[...]what it would be if left alone."
Most of the time the biggest factor that keeps us from creating good habits are our ingrained bad habits. These can be things we don't even realize are bad: staying up on our phone before bed, our coffee additives, even quick, 'healthy' snacks can be bad.
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Now let's think about something:
Imagine you have to move a pile of rocks from one spot to another. Would you try to pick up the whole pile and move it all at once? I'd certainly hope not! Any task can be accomplished one stone at a time, and creating change is no different. Some stones might be bigger than others. Some days you might be able to move a big stone, some days might be pebble, some you might not move a single stone, or another you might move two.
In conclusion, we all like to take this time of year as a time of renewal and change, but more often than not fail to follow through. So take a step back this year and lay out a plan to achieve the change you want in your life. If you're not sure where to start, you just so happen to be in good company! Ryan, Ellen, or Sarah all meet with clients to go over goals in an aptly named "Goals meeting." They will help you discover what it is you want to change and how best to do it.
