Life Matters: How to master change (part 4)

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Claire Porima, an expert in coaching for success, shares some simple guidelines for Life Matters.

One of the greatest inhibitors to making change is the very thought of change itself.

Initiating a change, or having change thrust upon us, can bring about a threat response.

When we are threatened, we crave going back to what is familiar, or to the habits that we've built up over a lifetime. The problem is, that these habits aren't serving us well - which is why we can keep making the same plans or re-solutions every year. Getting fit, losing weight, changing jobs, getting more organised, finding more time... these are all things I hear clients say they want, but they find it hard to achieve breakthroughs.

The good news is that instead of falling prey to threat and resistance, or to the f.e.a.r (ie: f.alse e.xpectations a.ppearing r.eal) of change, you can keep on your path by developing the mindset and the resilience for making long term, sustainable change.

Think of building resilience as being your powerhouse, or the fuel that provides energy for working towards achieving your goals. Ask yourself, how can you fuel yourself so you can keep on track with what you want?

There are three important keys to firing up your resolve

1. The act of stating your intent to a trusted supportive acquaintance or colleague keeps you motivated and on track. Choose someone to act as your ‘Change Facilitator' but make it someone who is not emotionally close to you. Ask that person to hear you out, without making judgment or comment, but give them license to pose questions so you explore alternative pathways and strategies. When you speak your intention out loud to someone else, it takes on a whole new energetic force and makes your goal real. Engaging a professional Coach can help accelerate your progress.

Ask yourself: Who can I safely share my personal or business dreams with who will not judge me but will help keep me focused, provide realistic ideas and new skills?

2. Being crystal clear about what you want is vital to success, so keep refining exactly what it is you want. It takes a while to get it right, but as you drill down to the specifics of what you really want to achieve, the clearer the ‘how' becomes.
Ask yourself: What else? Keep repeating the question until you are really clear on what you want.

3. Maintaining your focus on your goal helps you make the necessary small steps towards getting there. So, write a one sentence summary and stick in on your wall, fridge, computer or in your wallet so you have a visual reminder every day.
Ask yourself: What are the changes I want to create in the world?
You can turn your resolutions into reality. Keep aspiring to achieve what you want in your life - you can do it.

I'd love to be on your change team to help you get there. If you need to define your goals or the direction you want to head in, visit my website

www.TeAraPathwaysLifeCoaching.co.nz, and aspire courageously.

All the best for 2013!