Real Change Doesn’t Happen Overnight

Water rippling.

There are changes that happen almost overnight - an accident, working or school models because of a pandemic, a decision to transform your life.  However, the real underlying change...the behaviors that support the decisions...that takes time.

Many of us are feeling like we see things in our life or our world that need big change.  And sometimes that feels daunting and overwhelming.  It almost stops us from getting started because it feels like it will be hard...we will need to change hearts and minds, including our own, we’ll need to break habits or make new ones, we’ll need to break down obstacles.

But, you have to go back to...is this the life that you want to live or is this the world you want to live in or do you expect better?  I always expect better...part of this is my wiring but part of it is seeing things that just don’t feel right or that are inherently unfair and that should be fixed.  

For my own life, I know I can provide more value through the work I do.  I know I can be a better mother, partner, daughter, friend.  I know I could do better at sticking with my healthier habits.  

For the world, I believe that you should love who you want, that we are all created human and that color and gender and religion shouldn’t influence your opportunities.

We could look at the changes we want to see and get stopped in our tracks from the overwhelm - where do I start, what if I make the wrong choice, what if I say the wrong thing, what if I can’t make a difference, what if I don’t have the right skills.  We need to decide if the change we want is important enough to be in it for the long haul because it will be a journey..  You can check out one of my prior posts here about the journey...a marathon vs. a sprint.

I believe the changes many of you want will be worth the hard work.  You will need to be committed. Yes, you may find some quick wins along the way, but you’ll also find the obstacles that will make you consider stopping or going back to old behaviors. If you want lasting change in your personal life or the world around you, your odds of success will be significantly better if you have these in place:

  • The "Why"...why is a changed you or a changed world better?  Why is addressing the status quo important?

  • A support network - friends, colleagues, a coach who can be your cheerleaders, mirrors to what you are saying/doing, and accountability to continue the change journey

  • A plan - not just the normal plan but also a “when things get tough” plan

I would love to have the magic wand that transforms with just a swish but, unfortunately, that only happens in fairy tales not real life.  

Here's what a commitment looks like...

  • We need to do some rewiring of our thinking.

  • We need to stop, start, or change our daily habits.

  • We need to consider new ways of reacting to situations.

  • We need to be willing to do the work on our mindset.  

  • We need to be curious and question what we’ve been taught throughout the years.

  • We need to be willing to look in the mirror and question ourselves.  

  • We need to be willing to use our voices to create change.  

  • We need to believe that we (and others) are worthy of the change we want. 

  • We need to want how we will feel or who we will be with change more than the status quo.

Yes...this list may make you feel uncomfortable or too hard or too long.  But, lasting change often starts with one drop in the water and then can become a ripple or a wave of change.  

What’s the small drop in the water for the change you want in your life or in the world?  What could you do today to start the ripple of change?

I believe change for a better life and a better world are worthy of hard work.  

You don’t have to wait on anyone else.   What do you want to do today?

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