Genre: Instruction

The Hardest Part About Change is Taking Action BY KATHRYN MOTT I honestly do n't think that anyone out there really strives for mediocrity in every facet of their lives . There are some people that are content with their situation in life , but everyone has something they want to excel in ; something they want to be proud of . Unfortunately , most people do n't have the drive to do something about it . They waste away their time and talents day dreaming of what could be instead of living the life they want . People are constantly taking the easy road in life : it 's less risky , it does n't involve a lot of effort and it 's comfortable . Change requires you to step out of your comfort zone and into the unknown . You have to change yourself , your surroundings even your habits . Everyone has those moments in life where you look at where you are and the things you 've done to get there ; as a result , you 'll either be proud or disappointed . For those of you who have reached the point where you are wondering , " how did I get here ? " , there is still hope . Change is difficult . If it were easy , we would all be famous billionaires living in mansions . The fact that it 's hard is what makes change and improvement so great . Improving your life will result in several positive outcomes such as , giving you a better sense of self , making you a better person , mother father , friend , etc. and you 'll find yourself being happier in general . You need to understand that changing yourself for the better wo n't take away challenges in your life – it will just prepare you to be able to face them . If you have tried to change in the past and failed , do n't quit . You can still change and start making a difference in your life . The following tips will get you set on the path to action . When you do these things , you are preparing yourself to do more than just dream about the life you want ; you are getting yourself on the path to achieving it . Use these tips as guidelines to make the changes in your life that you want to see . The first step toward changing is knowing what you want to change and why . Take the time to sit down and write down your goals . Also write down why you want to change ; make this as in-depth as you can because it will be a foundation for you . This is something you will be able to go back to when you are feeling like it 's too hard or you have forgotten why it 's important . Tell people your goals . It can be embarrassing for some people to share with others what 's in their heart ; but it 's necessary . In order to change , you have to be held accountable . Letting someone else know what you are trying to do will ensure that you have someone to answer to . Make sure this person is someone who will continue to encourage you and is n't afraid to ask how things are moving along . Replace bad habits with good ones . Stopping something cold turkey is hard , so it 's best to replace the unwanted habit with something positive . If you have a major addiction , there are other steps you will have to take . If it 's just a bad habit , such as looking at Facebook too much , replace that with something like going for a walk around the block . If you are trying to stick within a budget , play a game with your family instead of going shopping . Find something positive to do that will replace the negative things in your life . Change is not easy , but it 's easier when you have someone to do it with . Find a partner , coach , friend or family member who might be in the same situation as you . If you want to start working out , set up times when the two of you can go exercise together . If you want to get up earlier , call each other in the morning and encourage one another to get up and get moving . Whatever changes you want to make , find a way to include someone else in them . You will be each other 's support , can hold one another accountable for what you do or do n't do . Get rid of distractions . There are things everywhere in our houses , our workplaces , and even our schools that can and will distract us from changing into the kind of people we want to be . Our phones , computers , iPads , etc. are all wonderful tools that we have at our disposal , but they can also hinder us . We spend so much time texting , emailing and checking various social media platforms . That is time that could be used doing something productive . Limit the amount of time you spend on the computer . Set an alarm and when it goes off , you 're done . Turn off the TV . I know so many people who have the TV on in the background while they are trying to get stuff done . I am guilty of this . In the past I would turn on a movie while I was trying to work or clean the house , but every time , I would find myself sitting on the couch watching instead of being up and moving . I decided to listen to audio books instead : that way I do n't have anything visual distracting me from the things I need to get done but I still have something entertaining or educational to listen to . Only say positive things to yourself . When you fail it 's easy to point out everything you did wrong , but that is so discouraging . Instead , say to yourself , " I can do hard things . " You have the ability to change , you just have to believe in yourself . Do n't beat yourself down . Serve other people . It 's funny how service works : you go out expecting to help someone else in need and you end up helping yourself . When you serve others , you feel better about yourself , you make a difference in someone's life , and you give back to the community . Recognize the good things you do , no matter how small . Many people might skip this step because it feels arrogant and prideful . IT 'S NOT ! Changing yourself is about evaluating where you are in life , what you 're doing and why you 're doing those things . When you make a change , even if it 's something simple , acknowledge it , do n't brush it off like it does n't mean anything . It means everything ! It means that you 're actually doing it , you 're changing . Reading is good for the soul ( and your mind ) , butway too many people get caught in the trap of consistently reading and never taking action on anything they read : How to Actually Take Action on All That Reading