making permanent, positive changes in your life.

 To make positive changes in ones life, there needs to be a clear understanding of the following.

Most "bad habits" come naturally, or easily. We do them without even thinking. So, to make changes, that is to say, turn bad habits into good habits, requires effort. Lots of effort. We naturally tend to avoid effort where ever and when ever we can. Thus making it hard.

Just because it's hard, is not to say, it's impossible. There is a process to help achieve the results you want. It is in effect a simple process, that requiers discipline. Another trait that many lack, or are weak in. So, let me list the process I believe works. I know it works because it's the process I have been using in my nown life.

• Why? Why do you want to change?
• How do you want the end result to "look" like?
• What thought patterns can you identify that are involved?
• Replace those thought patterns with positive ones.
• Take apropriate action to establish those thoughts.
• Continue (discipline) untill you achieve the results you seek.

WHY

If your "why" is not strong enough, you will quit early, and fail. Just because you "should", or it "seems like a good idea", will probably not do. Make sure you have a valuable reason, so that you "stay the course"!

HOW you want the end result to look like will motivate you, along with the WHY. It will give you the clear goal that you need to know when you arrive, or, if you have not yet arrived.

Thought patterns are a little tricky to identify. I find that I have to work backwards, so to speak. I ask myself, why did I do that? Why did I do it that way? What makes me feel that way? When did I start thinking that it was "OK" to do . . . x x x.? At what point am I already committed to doing (it) the same old way? Was it instictive? Did something trigger me? Was there an external influence? What I am saying is, analyze your process of doing whatever it is that you want to change. This will help identify the "steps" you use, al be it uncosciously, which you have to know if you want to change (it).

Another thing that will be helpful in some cases is to ask a (trusted) friend to help you identify,and isolate these steps.

Replace the negative steps with the positive ones you seek to change. In many cases, just the opposite will be pretty close to being the right ones. The previous tep will (peobably) be the hardest one. This one is simple in comparison. The thing here is to "take action". It's not enough to identify the steps, work out what they should be, as opposed to what they are, and then feel good that you have done something. No, you have merely identified, NOT changed anything yet. You have to take action, implement the "new" steps.

The next one is also another hard one. Discipline!

DISCIPLINE

This is also a hard step for many people. Discipline requires you to do things you do NOT always want to do. They are unpleasant, inconvenient, mundane etc, but is essential for success. Someone said that 80% of success is just showing up every day. If you are not a very disciplined person, you amy want to get help from someone to "coach" you through it.Someone that you can be accountable to. Someone who will not feelsorry for you when you want to quit. They will "discipline" you, externally, untill you can do it internally.

This is a very simple answer to the request, but I know it works. It may not be as simple to change every "negative" in your life into a "positive", but every success will give you confidence to do it again. I suggest, if you have a major thing in your life you want to change, start with something less intimidating. When you succeed with that, you will gain confidence with the big thing(s)

 I have to ask you this question, "are you SERIOUS?" about changing thing(s) in your life? We all want change, at some time or other, but wanting, or wishing won't do it! It takes ACTION and a serious COMMITMENT!

I also have to tell you, that if you do not invest in yourself, you will not change! Have a look at some resources found at the site linked below, and make that commitment. The old saying holds true in this instance, "if it costs you nothing, that's the value that you will put on it (NOTHING)