Charlotte County Florida Weekly

Fall for personal change – Part II

HODGES UNIVERSITY



 

 

In my last column, I discussed professional changes. There are also the challenges and benefits of making personal changes. You hear it a lot — that change is often challenging. It can be, and the question becomes how we will know a particular change is worth the effort?

We’ve all had those times where we wanted to make a change. Did it happen? What motivated you to make — or not make — that change? Here are some tips to help you be successful at making a personal change in your life.

First, decide on one thing to change. If you have too many goals, it can become overwhelming. For example, say that you want to quit smoking and lose weight. Those are both great goals to have, but it’s better to focus on one at a time. If you have more than one goal, the problem you may encounter is if one goal isn’t working, you may be likely to quit all your goals altogether.

Remember, change is accomplished by making a conscious effort to modify behavior patterns and habits that might be so automatic to us that we don’t even think about them, we just do them. Smoking is a good example of this.

Second, once you have decided on a change, determine how you’re going to do this. Is it joining a smoking cessation program? Is it nicotine replacement therapy? Is it acupuncture or hypnosis? Is it cold turkey? For this particular example, it’s best to consult with your physician first. As you work on achieving this one goal, you’ll notice smaller changes you’ll make along the way. In this example of smoking, you’ll need to manage triggers that would make the temptation to “just have one” too great.

Third, having the support of those around you is important. Not only will you have those people cheering your progress, but they can also help keep you inspired.

Fourth, know that this is a process. You’ll have days that you make great strides in your goal, and you’ll have days that you see little or no progress. You might even take a few steps backwards. All of this is okay. The point is to keep going.

Fifth, constantly remind yourself why you chose this goal and the benefits you will gain because of it.

Sixth, as you continue working on changing a habit, you are closer to your goal. And that also means that the benefits of this change will become more noticeable to you.

Ultimately, you are replacing an undesirable behavior or habit with one that makes you happier, either mentally or physically, or both. You are creating a new comfort zone for yourself. ¦

— Thomas Hofmann is the Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s degree program director at Hodges University. He is a Florida approved supervisor for mental health, family therapy and social work registered interns, and a licensed social work and marriage and family therapist.

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