Changing health – Come to the Edge

COME TO THE EDGE, He said.
They said: WE’RE AFRAID.
COME TO THE EDGE, He said.
THEY CAME. HE PUSHED THEM,
……..And they FLEW (Guillaume Apollinaire)

I saw this quote some years ago and loved it. I recently came across it again while reading Jack Canfield’s (co-author of Chicken Soup for the Soul)The Success Principles(TM): How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be. It was a timely reminder of how important overcoming fear is to achieving our goals and dreams.

What is it that holds us back? Generally speaking, fear and ‘perceived obstacles’ are the main monsters that prevent us from moving forward. From there, we can all list a wide range of excuses/reasons why we can’t do something. Having a step by step formula can be the key to making desired changes in our lives, whatever they might be. The following are steps that I use and have found them to be beneficial in gaining clarity on what it is that I want to accomplish:

1. Know exactly what your dream, desire, or goal is. Write it down.
2. Next, imagine what it would be like for you to accomplish it; use imagery to create a powerful vision in your mind.
3. Get the right mindset. It is hard work to keep positive thoughts in your head all the time. Push out those sneaky negative thought misers whenever they arise; you must first recognize them as we are not always aware when they come. The more you practice, the easier it gets.
4. What is it that motivates you? Is it to be a good role model for your kids, not huffing and puffing up a flight of stairs, not wanting to have a heart attack or stroke, to fit in that dress? Write your motivators down.
5. What are your obstacles? Write them down.
6. Make a list of things that you can do to overcome those barriers. Some examples might be, if you eat junk food at work because you are hungry, plan to take healthy snacks to work. Too tired to exercise when you get home -take your sneakers to work, kids to the park, etc. Steps 5 & 6 can be very powerful in written form by making 2 columns, 1 for obstacles and the other for solutions. Feel free to come up with more than one solution!
7. Commitment

NOW YOU HAVE A PLAN!

Some changes occur in baby steps, others in those big leaps of faith. However they need to happen for you, keep in mind that it’s normal to get off course from time to time. The important part is to just dust yourself off and get back on your path.