We are all familiar with the concept of change which is called for when we need to alter areas of our life, business, jobs or anything to make a difference. Anyone needing a change will start first with the thought of it or may acknowledge the existence of a problem . Change obviously does not necessary have to be linked to problems but could also be an urge to make improvement(s) or simply move in another direction due to reasons best known to the individual at that point in time .
As we are all creatures of habitual behaviour integrating change , breaking those old habits, leaving that comfort zone can be so difficult and may explain why we all resist change every now and then. But once successful change can be quite rewarding. For change to work as well as take place we most certainly will go via the cycle of change. This model is generally used for addictive behaviour(s) such as smoking but I hope you will agree with me that it can also be applicable to any area(s) of our life. The cycle of change is made up of the Pre-contemplation, Contemplation, Determination, Action, Maintenance and Relapse stages .
 My only hope with the application of this model is that we don’t spend our whole life going around it in circles because I tell you without doubt it will become ineffective and the individual is bound to get dizzy and that’s no good to anyone .
So here are a few tips to Make it work for you and remember you can apply them at any stage of the cycle preferably at the beginning.
Tips for change to work
1, Preparation: Generally you want to change for a reason ; the secret here is that if your reason is not strong enough you may struggle . So here you must establish a very strong reason to change. Mediate on your reason day and night if you are still not convinced this should help give you the extra strength to propel you forward.
2,Personal development: is about our conscious self-improvement and self-transcendence. It is the aspiration to realise our higher self. We can accomplish this by finding a mentor, attending seminars, reading empowering information, spirituality and many more. As we maintain our cars, homes so they don’t fall apart or pack up so do we need to maintain our personal development . .Allow me to say here that personal development is for life; we learn every day until we die(according to my mother). I heard this from her too often when I was growing up and I guess she was right!
3, Be Proactive : In your quest for change its a time to start proactively stepping into the next stage(s) of the cycle of change and that depends on where you are at. I write out and predefine my plans and goals ; I also give myself deadlines. You can scribble as well as write down what, how and all the nitty gritty things you have to do in between to move you towards you plan(s) to change . You must be proactive and not reactive with this process.
4, Beliefs: so let’s say you have managed to scroll through and actively engaged yourself in all of the above but for some reason have to deal with the “ I can’t “ syndrome . I am referring to negative beliefs or thoughts which are sometimes good at popping up when you at the stage of leaving your comfort zone to the unknown. You can address this by replacing your negative thoughts with positive ones . Remember to “Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy”~Norman Vincent Peale
5,Momentum: Most activities we engage ourselves in works well when the momentum is up and stays up ;the minute the momentum goes down so does the activity! For change to work you must be motivated enough to proactively ensure you constantly attend to your own personal development! People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing- that’s why we recommend it daily ~Zig Ziglar
Good luck on this journey and please remember when or if you start getting dizzy whilst going round the cycle it might mean you have to try something different !
Question:Â Any more ideas ?
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 Cycle of change Pic via …   http:// www.theipcrg.org/smoking/cycle.php
29. March 2010 at 1:03 pm
Change is a broad subject. I believe when one needs to change a bad habit or sinful action in his or her life, he or she needs to ask for God’s help. That’s also what’s called for when one needs to adjust or cope with changes around him or her. With God’s help we’ll make the right decisions.
29. March 2010 at 1:24 pm
Thanks Gail I agree with you Change is a broad area, and asking for God`s help can be categorised under our need to attend to our personal development by enriching our spiritual needs. The cycle of change will still come into play here as with God’s intervention some of us may relapse and go back to our old ways, but God’s mercies are new every morning so we can ask for forgiveness and directions. We however, like I said don’t want to spend our whole life going round and round this circle/cycle ……Thanks and God Bless
29. March 2010 at 1:39 pm
There is a different meaning for change when a person is trying to stop using drugs. Precnontemplation stage, the person doesn’t think that they have a problem, Contemplation, they may be aware that they have a problem but they are not sure that they want to do anything about the problem, preparation they are thinking about starting treatment, action, they have started treatment, maintenance, they are in recovery. Cycle is a little different but change can be scary for many and for those that are in addiction change can mean the loss of a coping strategy. Thanks be well
29. March 2010 at 2:09 pm
Change can be difficult. We all get into our little ruts and they’re hard to break out of. The bigger the rut the harder it is to climb out.
Yes, the first step, is realizing that you want to AND need to make a change. It could be changing careers, a bad habit, a behavior or your environment.
Change is scary, so I’d say the first step is how we view change itself. Once we see change as exciting, hopeful and inviting, then we will be able to set in motion many of the steps you mention.
This is an important post for people to read!
29. March 2010 at 2:15 pm
Thanks @Workinghard for elaborating on the stages of the cycle of change. Although addictive behaviours can be fostered by change over time, change is more evident in people who live a normal life where the cycle of change may still be applicable
29. March 2010 at 2:37 pm
Thanks @Guys and Yes change can be scary hence the reasons we resist it , but hopefully once viewed as exciting and inviting like you say .then the process can begin……. I love this quote and hopes it sheds more light on this subject area “We change Our life by changing Our heart.†…..Thanks for your comment
29. March 2010 at 3:30 pm
Hi Fatima! Oooo – one of my favorite subjects! I think to some degree we all have a love/hate relationship with change. Sometimes when things are just sailing along really well I think WOW this is great, wish it would last forever just like this! Well, it doesn’t but I’ve learned to at least enjoy and make joy and when something comes up that involves change I don’t fight it or whine about. Can’t say I was always t his open and gracious about it though. Spent years (decades actually) saying DAMN and gettin’ all frustrated.
I love your model – and yes, it’s good if we don’t go in circles! haha! Done that a few times too, with dizzying results!
Thanks for another awesome post, Fatima! I just love coming to your blog – it’s always a wonderful experience!
hugs
suZen
29. March 2010 at 3:42 pm
Ah! Great subject again! I also loved suzen comment
. I hate change, but love and need it:).
29. March 2010 at 7:43 pm
Change can be very challenging, especially on moving out of the comfort zone into the uncertainty. The inner resistance for individual change can be very big and thus I agree with your point on being proactive. We need to get the momentum going and once we have taken the first step, it will be easier for things to fall in steps. The challenge is usually the first step.
30. March 2010 at 9:17 am
Change is always a great topic because change is happening all of the time and with change often comes resistance. True change is motivated from within and must come from a place of love and peace. Thanks for sharing your tips.
30. March 2010 at 1:39 pm
Hi Fatima, you have a great blog here and I loved this post! Momentum is the number one on my list right now. When I get in the flow, I can create masterpieces. Thanks for a great read!
1. April 2010 at 1:04 am
This is a very good post, I tell my daughter I cannot change the past however, I can certainly change and improve tomorrow, and so we shall.
Dorothy from grammology
grammology.com
4. April 2010 at 7:25 am
Yeah! Love n hate relationship with change @SuZen it may explain the back and forth business we sometimes have with it ,which ends up making some of us dizzy init ? Big Hugs
SuZen thanks for your visits and comment.
@Angelshair, don’t we all sometimes love to hate change…. Thanks for your time and comment
Thanks @BK for reinforcing these two key points.. be proactive and momentum here again .
Thanks @Mark Yes change happens all the time… and is dynamic it would explain why our world has shifted from where it was 100 odd years ago….
Hey @Lana you finally came over, thanks for your time and comment.. you have got a great blog too …
Thanks @Dorothy that’s the beauty of Change .
