Big changes made easy

Our mainstream media is always suggesting to us that we need to look and act a certain way to be happy, successful, popular, and important. They are not always right, of course. Advertising is set up to make you want to buy their products, so if you are not, they must create the impression of a need.

Nobody is perfect. All of us know there is an area or two that we could and should improve on. Sometimes the distance seems large when we look at where we are and where we would like to be.

Change is hard. Our bodies and minds have a comfort zone they like to stay in. They will resist even when you are trying to make a change that will make you feel better.

Fortunately once you do make a change, it becomes a new comfort zone and you don’t want to go back to where you were.

Thinking about big changes can be intimidating. Looking at a large goal can be so scary that it looks impossible, or highly unlikely that you can do it. It’s tough to get started when there is so far to go.

So how can you tackle a big change? Make it a bunch of easy little ones.

If you want to lose weight, losing 20 or more pounds seems like a lot. But what if you lost two pounds? That’s not so hard. You would feel a little better and your clothes would fit a little better. You would recognize some progress which makes it easier to lose another two. Do that a few times and people around you will notice and you will be on your way to getting to your big goal.

What about improving on a personality habit, such as complaining? Can you go one minute without complaining? Of course you can. That’s easy. Next try a longer but still manageable time, such as five or ten minutes. Eventually you will create a new habit and build a new comfort zone that make you a more positive person.

It’s hard to clean up your whole house at once. Instead, tackle one area at a time. Clean up one closet or one room. You will see progress and will feel motivated to continue.

Some people want to feel good again with massage. Some say they can’t afford it. What if you set aside one dollar a day? That would let you enjoy a few massages a year. When you see the benefits you get from lowering your stress and that you can do more of what you want when you feel better physically, you will want to continue.

Chances are good that the situation that you would like to change didn’t happen overnight, but gradually over a period of time. To get where you want to be, start small. Those small steps will take you to your goal.

Barry is a licensed Massage Therapist at Main Street Massage in Hudson, Ohio. Find out more about him, his business, and massage at www.HudsonMassageTherapy.com