How’s Your Head? Part 2

• Why do you want to make the change?
  I want to feel good about myself. I want to walk up stairs without getting out of breath. I want more energy.
• What is the payoff for making this change in your life? How will it improve your life?
  I will have more confidence. I’ll feel better about pushing myself to step out of my comfort zone. I will wake up in the morning and look forward to my day. I will be empowered because by being healthy, I’ll be taking care of myself and be the best me I can be.
• Ask yourself (and be honest) what is stopping you from making these changes in your life. What excuses do you use that keep you stuck in your comfort zone? Excuses are ugly justifications for not doing something we know we can do
  I hate exercise, I don’t know what to eat. I don’t like to cook. I can’t get up early to work out. I’m too tired after work to exercise. I have no discipline. I can’t live without chocolate…
• Give consideration to what beliefs you may have had since birth are contributing to your lack of ability to make a change?
  I don’t deserve to be happy. It’s in my genes. I can’t take time for myself, it’s my responsibility to look after my kids and family first. Taking care of myself is selfish.
• Now close your eyes and picture yourself living your life with the change already in place. How does it feel? Be in the moment of having this change…like it’s a movie you’re watching…and you’re the star. How does it make you feel?
  When I close my eyes, I feel brand alive. I wake up energized. Go for a run or hit the gym and enjoy the endorphins I get from exercise. My confidence is at an all time high. I’ve learned how to cook simple, balanced meals and have shifted my focus from food to food as fuel. It’s not an obsession any more. I feel incredible and wouldn’t trade it. I’m so glad I made a commitment to myself and improved my health this year.

2 – Limit Watching TV to 3 nights a week

• Why do you want to make the change?
  I waste too much time watching TV every night. I fall asleep in front of the TV and then can’t sleep when I go to bed.
• What is the payoff for making this change in your life? How will it improve your life?
  I can be more productive without so much TV. I can read books, study things I’m interested in. Play with the dog more. Read the kids bedtime stories. Journal and enjoy quiet time just for me. AND I’ll sleep better.
• Ask yourself (and be honest) what is stopping you from making these changes in your life. What excuses do you use that keep you stuck in your comfort zone? Excuses are ugly justifications for not doing something we know we can do.
  It’s a well engrained habit. I come home, I turn on the TV. I feel weird without the TV on. If I don’t watch TV I won’t be able to swap TV stories at work the next day.
• Give consideration to what beliefs you may have had since birth are contributing to your lack of ability to make a change?
  I can’t change, this is how I am. We always watched TV at night, what’s really wrong with it? Changing habits is HARD! This will cause drama in the family.
  
• Now close your eyes and picture yourself living your life with the change already in place. How does it feel? Be in the moment of having this change…like it’s a movie you’re watching…and you’re the star. How does it make you feel?
  When I close my eyes, I feel so good about myself. I’ve read two books every month this year. I’m close with my kids because I read to them every night. My dog is happier because I walk him twice a day now. I no longer have guilt about what I do in the evenings. I’ve started volunteering at the local domestic abuse shelter one night a week. My life is fulfilling now.
  

3 – Get a new job

• Why do you want to make the change?
  I hate my job and my boss. It’s a toxic work environment. I’m bored and I hate getting up in the morning.
• What is the payoff for making this change in your life? How will it improve your life?
  I would be happy. I would have more motivation. I could make more money. I could save money for my trip to Greece.
• Ask yourself (and be honest) what is stopping you from making these changes in your life. What excuses do you use that keep you stuck in your comfort zone? Excuses are ugly justifications for not doing something we know we can do.
  With the economy the way it is there are no jobs out there. I don’t interview well. I don’t have time to look for a new job. I guess I’m scared to leave where I’m at even though I hate it.
• Give consideration to what beliefs you may have had since birth are contributing to your lack of ability to make a change?
  I’ve achieved all I can in my career. I don’t have what it takes to be promoted to a boss or Vice President, or to run my own company. I’m not smart enough to get a better job. I suck at negotiating.
  
• Now close your eyes and picture yourself living your life with the change already in place. How does it feel? Be in the moment of having this change…like it’s a movie you’re watching…and you’re the star. How does it make you feel?
  When I close my eyes I feel the change in the energy. I’m happy. I have a wonderful new job, doing what I’ve always wanted to do using my creative talent and my boss is the bomb. Now I’m going out more, have more confidence and am saving $200 a month toward my vacation in Greece. I’ve already starting planning the trip and where I will go. I’m keeping it alive and know I will go there soon. I’m so glad I made the change!

I hope these examples give you some ideas and the courage to walk through this process yourself. Which feels better, the excuses or using your imagination to create a new situation or phase in your life. C’mon, what are you going to change in 2012?

Remember, this exercise can be simple to complete if you spend just 30 minutes on it. The return on your investment of time will help you identify what’s going on inside your head and why you haven’t yet made this change. The process is easy…change is actually easy, you just have to want it and make it a high priority in you life. Then you’ll make the change.

One of the easiest ways to make big changes is to work with a coach. Visit us today to get started on getting where you want to go.

©2012