Have you ever found yourself stuck in the same unhealthy habits, no matter how hard you try to break them? It is really freaking frustrating. The truth is, making lasting changes to our lifestyle is difficult, because it requires a complete mindset shift. In order to transform our lives and create lasting change, we must first see ourselves in a new light and envision the future we want for ourselves. Only then can we begin to understand the work required to get there.
So how do we make this happen? I’ve got 3 tips for you today:
The first step to making any kind of change is understanding that you're not where you want to be. It’s okay to not be okay with where you are. Use that as fuel. Acknowledging that you have room for improvement is an essential part of this process. I call this taking full ownership of you and your shit. Once you realize that you're not close to where you want to be, it's time to start dreaming. What does your ideal “thing” look like? What kind of person do you want to be? What are your goals and aspirations? Dream big, and don't be afraid to think outside the box. When I visualize, I really try to get detailed.
Making sweeping changes to our lives is not easy, and it certainly won't happen overnight. In order to achieve our dreams, we must be willing to put in the hard work required to get there. This might mean saying no to certain things, like going out with friends or eating unhealthy foods. It might also mean getting up an hour earlier each day or working out even when we don't feel like it. Whatever it looks like for you, be prepared to put in the time and effort required to picture your future realistically. What does the future version of you do that the current version doesn’t do?
One of the most important aspects of shifting our mindset is learning how to be happy with what we have—even as we strive for more. Finding the joy in the day. When we focus on intentional happiness, we train our brain to see the good in every situation and appreciate even the smallest of wins. This doesn't mean that we should settle for less than what we want, it just means that we should learn how to enjoy every step of the journey, rather than just fixating on the end goal. It’s much better enjoying the day looking for joy then lingering in bitterness.