Acai Guide

Having a resistance to change is normal – even when we know that a major re-think is needed. We fear the unknown, that the price we have to pay for change might be just too big, and that things might actually get worse, not better.

But this cautionary fear is often just a barrier that is a figment of our imaginations. We need to massively outweigh the negative obstacles we’re envisioning to overcome this barrier, by replacing them with even more massive reasons to move on.

Consider this mathematical formula for change: D x V + F is greater than R …which means… Dissatisfaction x Vision + First Steps is greater than Resistance to Change.

When we’re looking to make changes, it’s usually because we’ve got sick and tired of putting up with the circumstances of our current existence. We have to make our reasons for doing something greater than our resistance to change. Whatever we’re dissatisfied with, whether it’s our job, relationships, career, lack of money – we have to analyse the problem and turn it into a motivating force for action. In other words, we need to dig really deep and be honest with ourselves; we’re not going to miss out any longer – life has much more to offer than the scraps we’re getting.

By visioning how positive things will be once we’ve made the changes, we can multiply the power of this dissatisfaction. It’s very liberating to mentally focus on a life of plenty, where we’re master of our destiny because we took responsibility for change. The greater our success visualisation, the stronger our resolve becomes.

It’s impossible for our minds to hold positive and negative thoughts at the same time, so by actively pushing out the negative thoughts with positive ones, we weaken the power those downbeat feelings had over us, and strengthen our will.

Once we’re mentally prepared, we can add the first steps towards change. Small, encouraging moves build confidence, and we start to generate a positive feedback loop which pushes us to more action and then more self-esteem and confidence. Building on these areas eventually overcomes and breaks down our resistance to change.

W N Murray, a member of the Scottish Himalayan Expedition wrote:

“…Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: That truth is, the moment one commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events occur once the decision is made, raising in ones favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way.”

As Goethe said, “Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.”

A book written in our own time says it all. “Who Moved My Cheese” by acclaimed author Spencer Johnson acknowledges the different ways we respond when there’s a need for change. It’s easy to think that those who achieve in life are lucky, that somehow things were simpler for them – they had the breaks. The truth is we make our own luck, by deciding when to make a move, and then committing wholeheartedly to its execution.

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