Do you ever wonder why when setting out to make changes, you get stuck?  Maybe you can relate to this narrative. I've dedicated most of my early-mid  20's studying this experience as someone who has struggled with this myself for what has felt like moths to even years at a time.  The all-too familiar pattern   of setting a goal created by my higher brain  yet falling victim to the lower brains's bad habits  makes us feel powerless. You  blame yourself, shame yourself, and end up back in what feels like the same "stuck" place you have always been.  In  stuckville, you go to work trying to fix yourself. You read every book, make detailed plans on what you will and won't do anymore. Then life happens. Work is stressful, circumstances are stressful , and you fall  back into the old habitual patterns.  

 

Luckily, as someone who is all too familiar with this cycle, I've realized a few things when setting out to make change that have helped me turn corners and  get me closer to my goals. 

1. You and I are not broken. Our brains are working efficiently to keep us safe and away from discomfort.

2. You don't need to overhaul your life when  you make a mistake. Mistakes are part of the process and a chance to respond to situations better the next time.

3. Keep 2 small promises to yourself everyday. Write them down. Make them attainable. Chances are if you do this over and over again you will wake up one day and realize you are living more intentionally (and toward your goals).

4. Fix your self-talk. 90% of the time the  way we speak to ourselves dictates our subconscious patterns and behaviors. This in-turn makes up most of how we are living our lives.