9 ways to prepare for change and live your dream life

  • 2019
Table of contents hide 1 1. Understand the logical levels of change 2 2. Clarify your desired outcome 3 3. Create a list of pros and cons 4 4. Imagine the results 5 5. Ecological review 6 6. Build your possessions 7 7. Create contingency plans for possible obstacles 8 8. Create an action plan 9 9. Keep calm and follow 10 In conclusion

Each year, many of us may have started initiatives for change in the form of resolutions. We are often inspired to reflect, look at the past, and take charge of our lives, deciding what is working for us, and what is not.

The changes we are looking for can be relatively small or short-term, such as losing those extra pounds of vacations or getting rid of the trash. We can also feel a strong desire or need for a deep and long-term transformation, such as a career change, leaving an old habit, or moving to a new city.

Whether we deliberately pursue personal transformation and growth or are driven to do so, we can greatly improve our chances of success by preparing for the changes we seek.

In this article, we will see the 9 ways to prepare for change. These tips will help you experience both small and large transitions, and will put you firmly on the path to the life of your dreams.

1. Understand the logical levels of change

It is important to understand how change really works to know what to expect during the process.

In Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP), we use the Five Logic Levels to understand what participates in making a personal change. This is a simple model that provides five useful windows through which any problem can be studied.

Here is a quick breakdown of the Five Logic Levels:

1. Identity : Who are you? What roles do you play in your life?

2. Beliefs : Why do you do what you do? What are your values ​​and beliefs?

3. Capabilities : How do you do things? What are your skills and strategies?

4. Behaviors : What do you do? What are your common behaviors?

5. Environment : Where, when and with whom are you showing your compartments?

The changes and factors at each level impact those above or below, to a greater or lesser extent. For example, changing your environment may affect previous levels, but altering a belief you hold may more likely influence subsequent levels.

To modify a behavior, which is the level we typically aim at when we decide to make a change in our lives, we usually need to become aware and adjust our underlying beliefs and sense of being, build our abilities to include new skills, and possibly support the transformation by modifying our environment.

Let's use an example to study each level; You are unhappy with your current career as a Public Accountant, and have decided to return to college to become a Registered Massage Therapist.

Identity : Is it your purpose to be happy and full, or to be the successful winner of your family?

Beliefs : Are you worth helping others? How much do you value income and status versus happiness and satisfaction? Do you think you are able to make the necessary changes?

Capabilities : How will you get the skills you need to become a massage therapist? What training will you need? What soft skills do you require that you do not currently possess (for example: communication, make people feel at ease)? Are you willing to do anything to acquire these new capabilities?

Behaviors : In addition to physically abandoning your current job, what other behaviors can change? Should you leave some luxuries to face the transition? Do your beliefs match the changes you will make?

Environment : Does your current environment support the necessary changes (for example: your partner, boss)? Can you study and work in your current situation, or will you need to move? What is the best time to make a transition?

2. Clarify your desired result

Take the time to clearly define what exactly you want to achieve with the change in terms of how it will look, when you want it to happen, how long you want it to take, and the basic scheme of how you will achieve it.

This is particularly important for those who like to jump just when they have made a decision; The enthusiasm is wonderful and will serve you well, but you also need a clear path and a solid understanding of what you want.

3. Create a list of pros and cons

It is inevitable that a great change will be accompanied by fear and doubt. Even when we know that a particular decision is the right one for us and will benefit us in the long term, we may feel like returning to the familiar and comforting behaviors, habits, jobs and situations that we are trying to leave behind.

Make a list of the reasons why you want to change. What are the deepest desires behind your decision? What positive results will you experience following your change? And finally, what are the negative consequences of NOT changing?

Create a detailed list of your answers to these questions, and place it where you will be able to see it often. When doubt strikes you, or when your motivation falters, your list will help you as an encouraging reminder of why you are doing all that in the first place.

4. Imagine the results

In NLP, we refer to this step to achieve any goal or result chosen as Future Rhythm. Simply explaining, imagine and visualize the final result of the change you are developing.

This step achieves two important things:

One, now you have a successful future outcome imagined as a positive motivation on your trip; and two, from your imagined place of success, you can then ask yourself how you got there, imagining that you can overcome any obstacle and challenges from a place of guaranteed success.

Richly visualizing the life you will experience after having achieved your goals as a daily exercise is also a great way to practice manifesting your reality.

5. Ecological review

Another term of NLP, an ecological review is simply to grab the final result you have visualized and submit it to the microscope:

  • What possible obstacles or conflicts may arise?
  • What mentalities, habits or behaviors can sabotage your efforts?
  • How will reaching your desired change affect others in your life (family, friends)?
  • Are there any sacrifices you will need to make? Are you ready for them?
  • How will you have to change your life so you can achieve your final result?
  • Is the final result aligned with your essential values ​​and beliefs?

Asking these important questions before embarking on a significant life change can save you time, effort and headaches, and allow you to make any necessary adjustments in advance.

6. Build your possessions

Make a list of any possession you currently own, such as money and other resources, skills, training, talents and support individuals.

Now create a list of those possessions, the ones you still need to acquire to achieve change, including things like adopting new mentalities and behaviors, training and education, mentoring, and physical assets such as living and working spaces, loans or transportation.

Make a plan of how you will get any skills or resources that you lack in the present.

7. Create contingency plans for possible obstacles

Once you've visualized your desired future outcome, and scrutinized to detect possible challenges and obstacles, you can come up with plans for those possibilities.

You don't have to go into so much detail; Just decide in advance how you could handle potholes along the way.

For example, if you anticipate resistance to your life decision from those around you, you could prepare a short and concise answer to the question of why you are doing it.

8. Create an action plan

It is easy to be overwhelmed when we face great life changes, even those we choose and want. Any change of life that is worthwhile means letting go of familiarity and going outside our comfort zones, and this can be a frightening experience.

Having a clearly defined action plan will not only help you stay on the path of progress, but it will also give you a reassuring structure in the moments when everything can feel chaotic.

When you formulate your plan, be sure to break it down into manageable, preferably daily, tasks and actions, and set several milestones (small goals) throughout the journey to your ultimate goal.

9. Keep calm and keep going

Remember to be compassionate with yourself. Making a significant personal and life change can be challenging, and as with any trip, there will be potholes as well as small goals to be achieved.

You will make mistakes, and there will be setbacks. Don't be so hard on yourself. Keep in the present the best you can, stick to your action plan, and review that List of Pros and Cons that you have created to remind you why everything is worth it.

Take the time each day to visualize your desired result, and don't forget to celebrate those small challenges met and victories along the way.

In conclusion

“The change will not come if we wait for another person or another time. We are the ones we have been waiting for. We are the change we seek ”Barack Obama.

Because of this, you are the only one who is responsible to change you to have a better life.

Before deciding to make changes, be clear about what you want and what you need. And identify the skills you require and find the environment that supports you in making the change you want.

Keep calm and carry on, and you will be the change you have always longed for!

Translated by: Diana Martínez, editor and translator in the big family hermandadblanca.org

Channeled by: Mike Bundrant, co-founder of iNLP Center, trainer of life coaches based on Neurolinguistic Programming.

Original page: https://www.lifehack.org/822913/prepare-for-change

Next Article