Are You Ready to Change Your Bad Habits?

“Bad habits are like a comfortable bed, easy to get into, but hard to get out of.”

~Unknown

We often get comfortable with our habits, even if they are not habits that are good for us.  It isn't that we are too lazy to change them; only that sometimes the pain of that bad habit isn't strong enough to motivate us to "get up" and change.  Actually, changing habits doesn't have to be that difficult, but is DOES require that you have the intention and motivation to stick with your decision to change and follow through.  Just as you have to decide to get out of bed in the morning, you also have to decide that you want to make the change.

 This week:  Think about a bad habit you have wanted to change. Are you ready to make a commitment to this change? It needs to be more than a belief that "it would be nice to change,"  it needs to be absolutely essential for you to make the change.  Think about what will happen if you don't make this change.  What will happen to you and the life you want to have?  What won't happen as a result of not changing this bad habit?  Are there things that won't happen if you change this bad habit?  What good things can happen if you make the change?  Fully consider the consequences of keeping yourself stuck in this bad habit.  Decide if you are really motivated to change.  If not, don't pretend that you are.  Acknowledge to yourself whether you are motivated to change or not.  If not, what will you need to do to get motivated?  Do you know what it will take to change that bad habit? 

Linda Pucci, Ph.D. is a psychologist, life coach and expert in helping people make the changes necessary to overcome obstacles to their success and happiness.  When you have the right tools, you can change any bad habit, and it isn't even all that difficult.  For more information got to http://www.innerresourcecenter.com/ and download free resources or call for a complimentary consultation.

Are You a Pessimist or an Optimist?

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

~Winston Churchill

It all has to do with your perception.  Pessimists focus on what isn't working or won't work--all the difficulties.  An optimist focuses on opportunities and doesn't allow the difficulties to block them.  Which are you?  Which focus would help you move forward in your life? 

This week:  Experiment with focusing on the opportunities in the obstacles that confront you.  It may seem artificial or contrived, but it will allow you to practice changing your focus.  Notice what the difficulties allow you to learn.  Assume, just for this week, that you can overcome any obstacle or difficulty that presents itself.  Sometimes that is enough to change the focus on the obstacle and find solutions.  Put your brain to work at solving the difficulty.  Your brain is exceptionally good at finding solutions when you get your pessimism out of the way.  At the end of the week, notice what your experience was like.  Can you build on it? 

Linda Pucci, Ph.D. is a psychologist, life coach and expert in helping people find their own inner resources and solutions to their life's challenges.  She has over 30 years experience helping people overcome self-sabotage and other obstacles to their success and happiness.  For more information and free articles, go to http://www.innerresourcecenter.com/ .  

You Control Your Own Personal Growth

"You are the only problem you will ever have and you are the only solution. Change is inevitable, personal growth is always a personal decision."

~Bob Proctor

When you begin to realize that you are both the problem AND the solution, you empower yourself to move forward.  You empower yourself to grow in the direction of YOUR choosing.  Which would you rather have in your life:  the belief that you are a victim of the capricious whims of life? Or the belief that you can create your own destiny?  The universe is unfolding as it should and change is inevitable.  How do you want it to impact you?

This week:  Begin to look at your "problems" as creations of your own.  If you can create it, you can also un-create it.  You can solve it.  Ask yourself "Why have I created this?"  "What purpose does it serve in my life?"  Listen carefully for the answer from that wise part of you within.  There is always something you think you are accomplishing by having the problem.  It may not consciously make sense to your rational mind, but it was devised by you to serve some unconscious purpose.  Next ask yourself "What do I need to do about this?"  Brainstorm solutions.  Whether your problem completely disappears or not, you will be on the road to taking charge of your own personal growth and change. 

Linda Pucci, Ph.D. is a psychologist, life coach and expert in helping people find their own solutions to life's challenges.  A personal growth and transformation expert at Inner Resource Center, LLC, Linda has a vast toolbox of resources to help people achieve their goals, overcome obstacles and get rid of the "emotional clutter" that blocks their dreams.  For more information, go to http://www.innerresourcecenter.com/ .