There is always a sense of loss with personal change, as some part of oneself is always left behind. There must be a compelling reason to change. Leaving something behind, even if it is just a familiar way of doing something, is painful. An individual must have some rather strong convictions about the pleasure or benefit associated with the change, so it is worth facing the pain that always occurs. Visions of the future help, because it is through visions that people can see, feel and emotionally believe that changing today results in a better, more desirable tomorrow.
Visions provide a sense of hope, and hope is the ultimate human fuel of change.
People need to have options in order to become committed to personal change. Personal change requires personal courage. We all have convincing reasons why we don't need to change, but it takes genuine courage, to be truthful enough with ourselves, to admit we do. This can in fact be the most painful part of change. Personal change involves a convoluted relationship among pain, pleasure, vision, options and courage.