At time is can be very easy to fall into a rut and even easier to just continue this safe and easy option.  But when these actions are not making you happy how do you actually go about changing things?

1. Keep the big picture in mind.

If you are not happy with what you are doing ask yourself ‘what would make you happy?’  Once you know the answer you can use this goal to motivate you when you need to step outside your comfort zone. To make a change in your life there is is a chance that you will need to contact a stranger, ask for help, visit somewhere new, meet new people or similar, and some of this may be unsetting, scary or cause discomfort so knowing exactly why you are doing it will help motivate you to keep going.   An example is if you are wanting to join a gym to improve your fitness.  It may be a step outside your comfort zone to approach a gym and ask about their programs but this task is made considerably easier if you remind yourself that  you are very much committed to improving your fitness and visualize how much happier you will be achieve this goal.

2. Take small steps.

 
When you feel anxious or worried about changing things, try something small to prove to yourself that you will be ok.  It doesn’t matter how small, simply doing something different will help; walk a different way to work, buy lunch from a different place, small things like this will show that you that you can do something different and you will be ok, in fact it is no big deal at all.  Right?.  Maybe by walking a different way you bump into someone you haven’t seen in a while or see something in a shop which further inspires you to do something else.  Or maybe nothing happens.  But keep going, try something else.  Small steps soon lead to another then another and soon you have travelled further than you thought you could.  

Small steps in practice.

I hate looking for a new job.  I simply hate everything about it.  I am not comfortable selling myself  in writing or person and cold calling in situations like this is still scary.  The problem is you need to do both these things to find a job (or be very lucky).   So I find myself in a job which I no longer enjoy, knowing I should be looking for another job, but yet I do nothing.    I then slowly start to hate the job and dread Monday mornings, but still I find reasons not to look for another job.  As a usually very sensible person this is ridiculous – I don’t like my job, but will not look for another.  I am in a rut that is not satisfying or making me happy, but it is safe and easy. 

So I start small.  Mention to one person that I am thinking of changing jobs.  Ok, that went fine so I tell another friend. Again that went fine so I update my CV.    Everything is still good.  Look at advertised positions, contact an employment agency.  Each step leads me closer to my goal.  Soon I get a few interviews and then a job – goal achieved.  

Sometimes small steps may appear as if they are too small to make a difference, but they do – small steps leads to another and soon the momentum takes over.   Couple this with an constant eye on the main goal and you really can get moving and achieve your goals.

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There are many very practical suggestions as to how you can manage your time more effectively. But more than that, the reminder that we do have limited time on earth, and the importance of human relationship and interaction.

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“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” - Benjamin Franklin

“You are today where your thoughts have brought you.” -  W. Clement Stone

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Randy Pausch’s final lecture: “Really Achieving Your Childhood dreams”

I had written several paragraphs summarising the clip.  But on reflection I have deleted them all.  I may discuss elements of this clip in a future post.  But for now I feel this lecture just needs to be watched to be appreciated.  

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