Everyone wants to lead a better life; it’s a natural human desire and instinct. No matter how good life gets, there will always be something you that could make things better. This constant desire for more is a good thing. It ensures we’re learning, growing, and moving forward in life. The problem is that sometimes, we can get stuck in a rut where we’re unsure how to change.
Luckily, there are simple steps you can take to create powerful and lasting change in your life. The best part is that these action steps don’t require any special training or credentials. Anyone can follow this system to change. Keep reading to learn more.
1. Create a Vision
The first step is to decide who you want to be and what you want to accomplish. Look at every facet of your life: wellness, relationships, business, personal goals, career, etc. List everything that—in a perfect world—you’d like to achieve. This is your foundation, the starting point that will dictate your action plan. Another note on this step is to be specific.
Don’t say, “I want a healthy body.” Say, “I want to be between 10% to 15% body and be able to run for 45 minutes without losing my breath.” That kind of specificity creates clarity, but more than that, it generates excitement because now you have the details firmly planted in your mind.
2. Take an Inventory of Where You Are
To get where you want to go, you must first know where you are. So, take the time to explore your path in life and identify the gaps you will need to fill. Also, try to understand the strengths required to fill those gaps. You may have to retool your skills or upgrade your knowledge to make the strides you want to make in your life. That’s okay.
In fact, it’s a natural part of the process. If you didn’t have to make any changes, you’d already have everything you want. You may need to find a mentor, hire a coach, or enroll in some classes/courses to further your education. Determine what the next steps are based on your unique goals and aspirations.
3. Develop a Learning Agenda
Create a learning plan using a journal, notebook, or even the notes app on your phone. This is where you’ll identify and document where you need to grow. Moreover, it serves as a sounding board for you to jot down ideas and concepts. As a result, you’ll have a resource that continually redirects your focus on your goals and what you need to do to achieve them.
4. Formulate a Road Map
It’s one thing to know your destination, and it’s another to know the steps you’ll have to take to get there. You need a plan to follow to turn your aspirations into reality. So, what are the actual steps you will take to start the changing process in your life? They don’t need to be perfect (you can always adjust as you go); they just need to be clear.
When you have your road map, it serves as your guide. As a result, you’ll have a clearly defined plan for what you must do to start creating change within your personality, character, and life.
5. Experiment and Practice With New Roles and Behaviors
This is where trial and error comes into play. People rarely succeed at their first attempt at anything. Now is your opportunity to “try on” different roles and behaviors that can help facilitate the change you’re seeking. For example, if you want to see yourself as a go-getter (someone who gives and provides value to others), try taking on more responsibility at work or consider volunteering or donating to a cause/organization you believe in.
Or maybe you want to change your money habits. Try saving a small percentage of your monthly income to prove that you’re more of a saver than a spender. All of these tiny details and changes will, over time, contribute to the new and improved you.
6. Find the Right Community for Support
Creating lasting change can be challenging if you’re surrounded by people who prefer that you stay the same. Now, this is not to say you need to ditch everybody in your life for a new group (although that’s not a bad idea if your current circle does not support your new ambitions)—the objective here is to surround yourself with a community that supports you. Wherever you can find that resource, do it.
Achieving and maintaining change is much easier when you have the right community (your tribe) that supports and encourages your growth. They can hold you accountable, motivate you when you’re down, and be your sounding board for ideas and inspiration!
Conclusion
Transformational change is a process. It won’t happen overnight; however, if you hang in there, you’ll find that the results are worth every bit of effort. For this reason, it’s important to have patience and persistence as you make these life changes. And the best part is that we at Certified Flourishing Coach can help. Our team of certified coaches are experts in evidence-based training to help you flourish personally and professionally.
Our framework is rooted in science and proven to facilitate the transformation you’re looking for in business, entrepreneurship, sales, creativity, and more. So, if you’re ready to flourish in life, contact us today to learn more.
About the Author
Abe Brown, MBA, CMCT, CPHSA is the Coach’s Coach, and is an Entrepreneur, Professional Speaker, International Best-Selling Author, and High-Performance Leadership Coach. He is the founder of Certified Flourishing Coaching™ and Flourishing Workplace. Abe is also the author of the Certified Flourishing Coaching™ Programs.