The Better You: Deciding & Preparing

by | Jan 13, 2015 | Throwback | 15 comments

Hi friends!
So, the other day I was comparing my life now to what my life was a couple years ago.  
Even just last year.
And I realized a lot has changed!
Some of it has been circumstantial, but some has been because I changed it.
So, it got me thinking…
And thus…a new series has been born!

I think the hardest thing about changing your life is expecting it to happen over night. Everyone is always telling us to look at The Big Picture.  But sometimes The Big Picture is overwhelming.  Daunting.  Seemingly impossible.

Making radical changes is hard.  It’s not impossible, but it’s not easy.  And even more so, when you make a radical change–it’s unlikely that you’ll stick to it.  I can’t tell you how many times I tried to quit soda cold turkey.  It always lasted a day or two and then boom.  I’d be back on the wagon.  Sounding familiar?

Is there anything you want to change?  With the New Year, I feel like we all get introspective.  We look over the year behind us and think I didn’t accomplish half of what I wanted to.  I feel like we always go into the new year expecting that we’ll be different people by the end of it.  And you know what?  We can be.  But it takes work.  And commitment.  And decision making.

Small choices.  Small commitments.  Literally, one small step at a time.  Take a look at what you want to change.  What is The Big Picture?  And then dissect it.  Turn it into something attainable.  Take on the challenge week by week.

Everything we do in our lives is a result of choices we make.  If there is something you want to change, examine it and decide which choices will help you attain it.  Decide how you are going to spend your time.  Pay attention to how you can decide to make productivity a part of your daily lives.  Choose to spend your time wisely.

There’s something to the quote:

The things you want to accomplish take discipline, but they also require you to be prepared.  If the things you wanted to do were easy, you’d already be doing them.  Set yourself up for success.  It takes extra work and effort, but it’s worth it.  Once you’re able to commit to the small, attainable goals, you’ll find that before you know it, you’ve made the changes you wanted to make.  And now they’re habits.
So make the decision to do it.  
Investigate your options.  
Dissect it into small, attainable goals.  
And commit.

Over the next few weeks, I’m going to elaborate a bit on this topic and share some of the different things I’ve changed in my own life over the last few years!  I’d like this to be something that gets you all thinking about your own changes–how you did them, what you want to change–how you want to go about changing those things!  I’d like this to be an opportunity for us to really connect and inspire each other!

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15 Comments

  1. Go girl, go! Such motivation and deep thoughts so early in the morning! I love this and can't wait to see what else you come up with 🙂

    Reply
  2. Sounds exciting and can't wait to read about it!!! I'm about both the little picture and the big picture…the little steps definitely help me to get to my bigger goal!! xo, Biana – BlovedBoston

    Reply
  3. Ohhh I like this! I think we can all use a little inspiration and encouragement to make changes in our lives and keep bettering ourselves. Sometimes change is scary so we tend to make excuses. I try to look at the big picture sometimes.

    Reply
  4. So many good points in this post! I'm excited to hear more from you on the topic- I can use all of the motivation and inspiration I can get 🙂

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  5. can't wait to hear all about it. i totally agree that sometimes it is daunting to think about changing your life or really doing anything because it seems so big and scary – but baby steps always help and before you know it, voila shit has changed.

    Reply
  6. Great post, and I look forward to hearing (ok reading haha) you talk more about this. This year I really want to get a full-time job (I work part-time) and be better with my finances. Those are my top two things that I want to change. I hope that you are having a good day so far too!

    Reply
  7. Looking forward to hearing more! I definitely made some big changes last year as far as healthy living and I feel so much better for it! But there are other areas where I struggle so much to change!

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  8. Yes girl, baby steps! Trying to make huge changes overnight doesn't usually work, you quite when you don't see results or change asap. I'm ALL about this right now <3

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  9. Gosh, I'm in a completely different place than I was a few years ago. A lot has changed but, strangely, has stayed the same. Like I'm teaching 4th grade again. But I'm living in my 4th state.

    Looking forward to your specific advice!

    Reply
  10. I'm the same way girl I get very reflective when the New Year hits! I was thinking about it last night about how rushed I always am and needing to slow down and enjoy life every day a little more. I am really trying to make a conscious effort!

    Reply
  11. I was just having this exact same conversation with a friend. It's definitely hard to make changes but I think you're right – a lot of people think you have to go from Point A to Point B overnight but that's really not the case. My life is a lot different than it was a year ago, two years ago, 5 years ago, etc. but I didn't just wake up where I am one day, you know? I totally geek out on this kind of stuff so I'm excited to hear more about it! 🙂

    Reply
  12. I agree that the hardest part about change is how it can take time. I've changed so much over the last 5 years and it is amazing to see the goals I had years ago come to life. I can't wait to read your advice.

    Reply
  13. Yes to all of this! The "straight from A to B" changes have never been a thing for me. I doubt they really work for anyone, at least not in a really lasting way. I love that quote, and the idea of making whatever small changes you can to get to your goal every single day. I'm excited to hear more about this!!

    Reply
  14. Change is a good thing!! Looks like your life is getting better and better.. what a blessing!

    Anyhoo, I found your blog through a fellow blogger, and just thought I would stop by and say hi! It would totally make my day if you did the same… or better yet, keep in touch!! <3 – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com

    Reply
  15. Can't wait to read more Joey! You're so right though, looking at the "big picture" can be very daunting. Small steps is the way to go. 🙂

    Reply

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