The Four Types of Change Everyone Experiences in Life

Photo: Adam Voorhes

From the moment we're born, we're programmed to believe that life should progress in a linear fashion: We start out weak, ignorant and unsure, then steadily become stronger, smarter and more confident. We accomplish this feat by deftly navigating the obstacles we encounter, knowing exactly when and how to adjust our trajectory or make a courageous leap. No backsliding, no repetitive blundering, no confusion whatsoever.

Ha.

The reality is more like this: We sometimes have absolutely no idea what we're doing and whether our strategy is working for us. Our culture doesn't teach us these things; there is no Transformation 101 class in high school. We are asked to embark upon this wild ride called life with neither an instruction book nor any sense of when—or how—to change.

As you read this, should you be powering up to leap forward or pausing to appreciate what's here and now? If you're not sure, take heart: There are ways to figure it out, thereby turning a disorienting careen into an exhilarating adventure.

It all starts with paying attention. Where are you experiencing genuine curiosity in your life? Is there a person, a place, a creative endeavor that's captivated your imagination? That curiosity is a version of desire, and recognizing it is half the battle of knowing when, whether and how to change. (Spoiler alert: If you're feeling that pull, change is probably a good idea.) The other half is being able to recognize external necessity—circumstances outside yourself that are forcing you to change whether you like it or not (the impending loss of a job, for instance, or the deterioration of a marriage) or people who are attempting to get you to change even if you don't want to (like your overbearing mother). To determine when you need a transition and how to manage it, you need to create a change matrix. Actually, wait, don't bother; I already made one. Here it is:

Zen Habits, The book

Just in case you are wondering what zen habits are/is.......

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I’ve written a book for anyone who has struggled with changes in their lives.

It started with my struggle with change — in 2005, I was an overweight, sedentary, broke, deeply-in-debt, junk-food-eating smoker surrounded by clutter and no time for my wife or kids. I was stuck, desperate, overwhelmed, with no idea how to get out.

But then I learned the principles of change, by doing a *ton* of research, studying those who were successful at change, and making some small changes. One at a time. Through these experiments, I learned things that help with any change.

Over the next few years, I changed everything … one step at a time:

• Quit smoking
• Started running, ran several marathons
• Started eating healthier, eventually became vegan
• Lost 70 lbs.
• Simplified and got rid of clutter
• Got out of debt
• Started a successful blog, quit my day job
• Overcame procrastination, wrote numerous books
• Found time for my health, family, writing, reading
• And much more

Since then I’ve helped tens of thousands of people change their lives through habit change. I’ve learned what works, and what doesn’t, and honed my habit method.

What This Book Will Help You Do

This book will help you make any change:

• Exercise
• Eating healthy
• Getting out of debt
• Overcoming procrastination
• Losing weight
• Dealing with frustrations & stress
• Improving relationships
• Simplifying & decluttering
• Meditating and being mindful
• And much more

But this book isn’t just a book about habit change … it’s about how to live, and how to master the process of change.

In the process of creating a small change in your life, by following the steps in this book … you’ll start to develop skills I’ve learned from studying Zen Buddhism to find peace, contentment, and the ability to adjust to situations as they change.

In practicing these skills, you begin to truly understand them.

This is a slender volume of condensed learning about the process of change, and the nature of our minds. And a how-to on how to change your habits and overcome procrastination.

I hope you enjoy it.

Change yourself, change the world

My hope is that this book will help you change your life — to help you change habits, become more focused, procrastinate less, and find peace.

And if you can change yourself, you’ve changed a small part of the world.

By changing ourselves, we become the example of change for others around us.

We become inspiration for further change.

My deepest wish is for you to use this book and create change in yourself and everyone around you.

If this happens, we’ve succeeded.

source:- http://zenhabitsbook.com/

                

Finding The Motivation To Change Your Entire Life

Almost exactly 8 years ago today, I ran my first marathon and soon after I started Zen Habits. I’d changed a dozen or so habits, lost weight, was getting out of debt, quit smoking.

And almost 7 years ago, I quit my job.

That was a period of intense and profoundly scary life changes for me, but they were all of my choosing. I decided to make them happen, and I pushed until they did.

Today I’d like to share a few things that worked for me, in case you’re considering changing your life. Maybe you want to quit your job and start a business, or start an organization that will change the world in some way. Maybe you want to change your eating and fitness habits and become healthy. Maybe you want to finally start creating that art, that book, that blog that you’ve been meaning to start someday.

Someday is today.

Let’s look at how you find that motivation to finally start changing — and then to keep going when the changes inevitably get tough.

What Gets in the Way

None of these are insurmountable, but they can often cause us to put off major changes. So be aware of them:

• Fear of change
• Not wanting to be uncomfortable
• Fear of uncertainty
• Being tired
• Fear of failure
• Fear of not being good enough
• Not having time
• Being busy with all kinds of things
• Waiting for something to happen
• Perfectionism
• Being overwhelmed with all that you have to do
• Not knowing how

We all have these fears and reasons for not taking action.

They’re all bullshit.

Yes, the fear of failure and change and discomfort and uncertainty are real … but they’re not good enough reasons for inaction. They can all be overcome. I’ve dealt with them, and so have thousands, millions of others. You’re no worse than me or anyone else — you can face these fears.

Yes, you’re busy, tired, overwhelmed, lacking time … we all are. I would get up at 5 a.m. to go for my runs or write my blog, because I knew I’d be busy later in the day. I didn’t have more time or energy — I was motivated, and I prioritized. You can make that happen too.

So let’s look at how to overcome these fears, find motivation, and prioritize. All with one small set of actions.

The Make It Happen Actions

These are the set of actions that I’ve found to help overcome fears, find motivation, and prioritize:

1. Find a purpose. You might already know what your purpose is, but it’s good to review it and keep it at the forefront of your thoughts. If you don’t have a purpose, start here: what will you want to look back on at the end of your life? What will make your life feel significant? What will give your life some meaning? If you don’t have an answer to these questions, it’s worth spending a little time here. Go for a walk and think about it.
2. Embrace your desire. You’re reading this article because you have a desire to do something positive in your life. Embrace that. Isn’t it wonderful that you have this desire? See this as the first positive step, one you’ve already taken. Now use it and take action.
3. Create the space. You won’t make any changes if you don’t create a small space for the change. When will you start making the change? In the morning, in the evening, during your lunch break? Don’t wait for the change to happen — make it happen. Block off some time on your calendar each day, even if it’s just 10 or 15 minutes. If you don’t have the time, think about how long you spend each day on Facebook, TV, games, or doing smaller tasks that aren’t as important. Push those back for just a bit, and do what’s most important to you first.
4. Surround yourself. The best way to make change happen is to surround yourself with others making a similar change themselves, others who will support your change. Find a few people online or off, and create a support team that will check in with each other regularly. Yes, this might take some work. Yes, you can do it.
5. Make the accountability. Find at least one person who will hold you accountable for making this change. It might be the support team mentioned above, or a coach, or an accountability partner. Tell them not to let you off the hook.
6. Take a small action. If you’re overwhelmed by a large change, or a bunch of large change, just focus on one small step. What small action can you take today that will move you forward? It might be something as simple as “do an Internet search about selling my quilts online”, or “call Freddie to ask him to hold me accountable”. Take a small step, and get moving. Movement begets movement. Now take another small step. This is how change is created.

source:- http://zenhabits.net/life-changing/