runbikedoc

Making a lasting improvement in your life is a gradual, evolutionary process. Considerable thought and preparation must precede action in order to increase the probability of success. This is why it is necessary to focus on improving one thing at a time.

You need to know yourself and this begins with examining your motivation.

Motivation, the whys of behaviors, is defined as why you do what you do.

Prior to embarking on any life improvement project it is mission critical to understand the causes of your current habit and the reasons for changing.

If the costs of change do not outweigh the benefits, permanency will not take root.

This journey has four steps:

1. Contemplation

The thinking stage, where commitment is formulated. You understand that you are not where you want to be and that you want to make a positive change sometime in the near future. This stage is built on personal responsibility and taking responsibility in both your current state and future results.

2. Preparation

This stage can be summarized in one word “intention”. Now the knowledge is gained: books are read, experts consulted and a start date is set. A plan comprised of a series of small steps is devised. This period should last approximately one month, culminating in a start date.

3. Action

When the clock strikes midnight on your start date, the rubber meets the road. Be prepared to invest a considerable amount of time and energy in your commitment. Become the CEO of You, Inc. Take ownership of your decisions and actions. Enlist the support of others to strengthen your commitment.

4. Maintenance

Savor the victory of achieving the first change on your list. Make sure the change is permanent before starting all over again with another behavior. Remember that it takes at least two months of consistent success for the behavior to be considered changed.

Life is about the journey, not the destination. Enjoy each day in the process.

Thanks for reading, doc