Myths About Change That Hold Us Back

We all know that change is inevitable, but that doesn’t make it any easier. Accepting change as a natural part of life can be challenging, especially when it feels inconvenient or daunting. Whether change is thrust upon us or we decide to initiate it ourselves, we often need to engage in a process of acceptance and adaptation.

As a recovering perfectionist, I’ve often held myself back from initiating change with thoughts like, "What if I get it wrong?" or "What if I make a mistake?" These limiting "what if" thoughts have prevented me from trying new things and experiencing positive change. However, I’ve learned that mistakes are opportunities for growth. They allow us to "fall forward" instead of staying stuck. No change program can succeed without the desire to change. Sometimes, this desire is obscured by fear, limiting beliefs, and assumptions. To help you on your change journey, I want to dispel four persistent myths about change that might be holding you back.

Myth #1: If You Can’t Make Yourself Change, You Lack Grit, Willpower, Determination, or Motivation

Truth: Most of our behavior isn’t driven by willpower; it’s driven by our unconscious mind and past experiences. To change your behavior, you need to change your habits. Develop a system to support the new habits you want to create to achieve the change you desire.

Myth #2: You Need to Be Hard on Yourself to Make Change Happen

Truth: Negative self-talk hinders progress. Bad habits often persist because they once made us feel good. We are more likely to create good habits and achieve desired change when we practice self-compassion and feel good about ourselves. Positive emotions and rewards facilitate learning and habit formation.

Myth #3: To Get Great Results, You Need Big Goals

Truth: While it’s important to have a clear vision of where you want to go, good results come from taking consistent action, one step at a time. Focusing solely on the end goal can lead to distraction and disengagement at the first sign of failure. Celebrate small achievements and learn from mistakes along the way.

Myth #4: To Succeed, You Must "Go Big or Go Home"

Truth: Success often comes from making things easy to do and building momentum through small, bite-sized actions. Starting small can lead to meaningful transformation over time.

Change is possible, and often, we are the ones holding ourselves back with outdated beliefs. Imagine what you could achieve if you overcame these limiting beliefs. You might even enjoy the journey of change!

Questions to Ask Yourself:

• WHY do I want to change?

• WHAT do I want to change?

• WHAT is my most important reason for wanting this change?

• HOW do I start? One step at a time.
  
  

Embrace change with a positive mindset and a willingness to learn from every step you take. Your journey toward transformation can be an exciting and rewarding experience.