CHANGE

I have met people in many countries.  Whether in cities,towns or rural settings, they are going in different directions and doing different things.  I look at the people around me and see people that have success in areas of their lives.  Success can be measured in many ways:  business, family, relationships, financial, professional, etc.  But what is the one thing we all have in common?  CHANGE.  There is nothing we can do about this.  Change is going to happen whether we like it or not.  So why not change for the better?

For some time now I have been helping people working as a personal trainer and have seen people have great success in transforming their bodies.  This transformation has carried over to all aspects of their lives.  I have also seen people not follow through with their plans.  The difference is the WILLINGNESS to CHANGE!

I see two types of mindsets.  Successful people get excited about change.  As soon as they become too comfortable or complacent, they move on to the next challenge...the next step.  They find a reason to take action - they make things happen.

Those who do not reach their goals are creative in finding excuses for why they can't change.  Excuses include the old knee injury from school, the car accident of a long time ago, the busy timetable, the "I can't get up in the morning."  The members of the Excuse Club say they want positive change, but what they're really after is instant gratification.  So they find an excuse.  They never commit.  They quit without working long and hard hours and without making the sacrifices needed to make gains and to attain long term benefits.  They opt for the easy road, the status quo.  But in effect they too will continue to change, but not for the better.

A trainer can give two people the same program and get two very different results.  It's all about character.  What people portray in one area or endeavor will usually give an indication of how they will perform in other aspects of their lives.

So how do you change for the better?

"The greatest leverage you can create for yourself is the pain that comes from inside, not outside.  Knowing that you have failed to live up to your own standards for your life is the ultimate pain.  If we fail to act in accordance with our own view of ourselves, if our behaviours are inconsistent with our standards - with the identity we hold for ourselves - then the chasm between our actions and who we are drives us to make a change."

"One of the things that turns virtually anyone around is reaching a pain threshold.  This means experiencing pain at such an intense level that you know you must change now - a point at which your brain says, "I've had it; I can't spend another day, not another moment, living or feeling this way."  (Awaken the Giant Within - Tony Robbins)

Change requires more than just establishing the knowledge that you should change.  It's knowing at the deepest emotional level that you must change.  If you have tried to change and failed it's because you have not associated enough pain with your current situation.  You have to place emotional intensity with your actions!  This way you're not just going through the movement, you're LIVING in the moment and doing something about your situation right NOW.

If you really want to improve your physical and overall personal condition you need to begin by focusing on the real and true reason(s) that you must change.  A reason (s) so strong it cannot be excused away!  Make a commitment to do what you say your're going to do!  Take Action!  With this will come self confidence, the power in knowing you are changing for the better.  Your integrity, example, and achievements will in turn positively affect the people around you!

Change the mindset first and the body will follow!  This is the foundation of personal growth and improvement!

All the best,

Tom Cako