In the last article, I wrote about what motivates us, why we do what we do. And we found that, underneath it all, we are ultimately motivated by our feelings. Or, to be more specific, we do what we do because of how we believe we will feel.
And I also promised to give you a very simple question that you can ask yourself to leverage this understanding to create real change in yourself and in others.
So, here it is. Once you have gotten to the root cause of something (see the previous article on how to do this), you can then ask yourself (or others) the following question:
“What can I (or you) do right now, what small action can I take, to create positive change?”
Then, and this will help ensure your success, write down your answers and begin immediately to take action. Writing down the answers and taking action in that moment are crucial to creating the change.
We all know what happens if we say we should do something: usually nothing ever happens.
I want to highlight one word in the above question as well: small. Begin with small steps, small changes: a phone call, an email, an inquiry, something which is not overwhelming, something which you can easily do now and is a step in the direction of achieving your goal.
If, for example, you want to change a habit such as smoking or overeating, a small step such as signing up for emails helping you to break the habit is something that is easy to do and you are likely to actually take action on. But if you tell yourself to quit right now cold turkey, even though that may be the desired goal, it will most likely be so overwhelming that you will immediately abandon trying. And then, not only have you taken no action and made no progress, but you have actually chalked up a failed attempt. And your subconscious mind remembers this and will protest even louder the next time you think about quitting.
By taking small, calculated steps in the direction of your goal, you will begin to develop the momentum which will soon make the change finally seem possible. And as you gain this new outlook (that change is indeed possible), you will more easily take further steps towards your goal with added ease and confidence.
Once your goal becomes possible you only need to keep progressing, taking small action forward, and it is only a matter of time before your goal becomes probable. And soon, it will become inevitable.
And your life has changed. Your goal will be realized.
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
There is a reason this statement by Lao-tzu has stuck around for over 2000 years: because we recognize in it a simple truth.
So, please, choose something that, were you to make the change, would dramatically improve your life and the lives of those around you. Then, ask yourself the question below, write down your answers and take action immediately. Then, repeat until your goal is achieved and you have single handedly transformed your life.
Go bravely, and with excitement, into your future.
“What can I (or you) do right now, what small action can I take, to create positive change?”