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Will 2012 be a year for change or will you keep doing what you have always done?

“It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction.”

Albert Einstein

Seems obvious, only an idiot would try to keep doing the same thing and expect different results, no? But the truth is I?m guilty of it, my friends are guilty, my family are guilty and I guess each one of you reading this is also guilty of the syndrome. If change were easy we would all be different, more successful, healthier, fitter, stronger, slimmer, more intelligent and definitely more accomplished. But we are not. And here?s the reasons why.

Change is difficult.

Change is uncomfortable.

Most human beings resist change. The familiar becomes a false sense of security even if it is a bad habit or a behavior that doesn?t serve us. Fear prevents us from moving forward. The ?what if? syndrome hits us. What if I lose money? What if it?s the wrong decision? What if I can?t keep it up? I say sod all the negatives,

Change is necessary,

Change is good,

Change is exciting, it?s thrilling, it?s energizing.

Life is ever changing, it?s dynamic, no two moments are ever the same. Our bodies are different one moment to the next, so why would we try to keep things the same? Why not embrace the difference, the different emotions, the different experiences that is life?

Successful Change

The route to successful change is in the habits we create, it?s achieved by consistent small changes which add up to desired results.

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.”

Aristotle

If we are what we repeatedly do, then creating habits of what we want in our lives in the only way to go. But how do we create habits that stick? Most of us will have a New Year’s Resolution or 22 that haven’t quite worked out the way we planned; there are a number of reasons why this can happen.

1. Lack of planning

If you want anything to work well it must have a POA (Plan of Action) You need to put some thought into What, When, Why and any other question word you can think of. If you want to create the habit of exercise then you must decide what exercise, what days and for how long before you put your gear on. Failing to plan is setting yourself up to fail.

2. Trying too much too soon

When starting a new habit, you need to start small and do it often. If you want to create a habit of writing, the trick is to do a little every day. If you are what you repeatedly do, some day you can become a writer.

3. Focusing on the wrong thing

Many people without realizing focus on the wrong thing. Every year I would set the goal to lose weight and every year I would fail. Last year I finally realized why it wasn?t working. I spent a lot of time focusing on my rounded belly and feeling negative about how my diet wasn?t working. One morning in the shower I had an epiphany. I spent my life telling people to focus on the positive and to focus on what they want and here I was spending my time focusing on my the parts of my body I didn?t like instead of focusing on the healthy, strong lean body I was busy creating. I have finally lost the weight.

4. Lack of Self Belief

“If you think you can do a thing or think you can’t do a thing, you’re right.”

Henry Ford probably didn?t realize how famous his quotation would become but he knew how true these words were. If you go to the trouble of setting a goal, do yourself a favor and believe in ability to achieve it. If your best friend told you they were going to change this year, this year was going to be different. This year they are going to stop doing what they have always done and do what needs to be done to achieve the changes that they want to achieve. Would you support your friend or would you doubt and discourage them with negative thoughts and words?

Start being your own best friend start encouraging and believing in yourself. Nurture your attempts with positive supportive words and actions. You can do it this year. You will do it; you just have to believe and you are half way there.

(Photo credit: Change Just Ahead Green Road Sign via Shutterstock)

Ciara Conlon is a Personal Productivity Coach and author. Her mission is to help people achieve their best through working efficiently and being positive and present. ?With Productivity and Positivity there is little you can?t achieve? Find out more about Ciara and sign up for her tips, articles and links at Productivity & Positivity