I have a book on my shelf titled Helping People Change, Coaching with Compassion for Lifelong Learning and Growth, by Richard Boyatzis, Melvin Smith, and Ellen Van Oosten. It’s a science-based book focused on a vision-based approach to creating change. It’s a good book, if not a little dry, but it’s more the book title than its contents that sparks my topic for today’s Thought Partner.
There are strategies for helping people change, and there are questions and activities we can employ to assist in that process. Ultimately, if someone wants to change their behavior or their thinking, they have to be disciplined enough to do the work themselves. And that takes thought and intention.
Since our theme this month is Harnessing Powerful Thinking, that’s the challenge that I would like to offer you today. If you’ve been looking to make some type of change in your life, how can you make that change easier?
How can you make change easier for yourself?
1. Do you want a less chaotic morning?
- Set your alarm 30 minutes earlier; wake up and move with intention.
2. Do you want to feel good about yourself and your accomplishments?
- Encourage yourself more by speaking like you would to your child, friend, or pet. You’re so much more encouraging and respectful to them. Don’t beat yourself up; that only leaves you with bruises.
3. Do you want additional work or personal connections?
- Expand your circle. Joining a gym, professional group, or volunteer organization can feel like a lot of work, but you’re guaranteed at least one new connection.
4. Do you want a different relationship with someone in particular?
- Evaluate the status of the relationship as it stands now and think about what’s missing or what would make it more solid. Tell the person your thoughts and ask them for theirs in return. Get the information; guessing is like throwing cooked pasta against a wall, only half of it sticks and it creates a bigger mess than you had before.
What is it you want?
How can you make change easier to get what you want?
