7 Observations About Creating Positive Change for a Good Life

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• Tags: addiction, bad habits, change, choice, decision, Excellence, hope, Inspiration, positive, Success

Changing bad habits or addictions is extremely difficult.  We all have our habits that we cling to despite their negative affect on our lives.  We often want to do the right thing, but the harder we try to change, the more we end up giving in to our bad habits.  It can become a destructive cycle in our lives.  So, how do we overcome these obstacles and start creating positive change?  That’s what I’d like to address today.

I’d like to share a few observations from a real-life success story.  Yesterday, I posted An Inspirational Story of Positive Choices and Radical Change.  In this article, a reader of mine, Ryan, told the story of how he overcame his addiction to drugs and alcohol.  He completely flipped his life from one of despair and destruction to a life of growth and hope.  How did he do it?

How to create positive change in your life.

Let’s examine Ryan’s story and see what we can learn about creating positive change.  I think there is a clear progression and that these things apply regardless of what you face.  Your bad habit doesn’t have to be as extreme as drug and alcohol abuse.  It could be smoking, overeating, or losing your temper.  Whatever it is, these lessons from Ryan can help you beat it.

1.  Find something or someone that makes change worth it.

You need motivation to create positive change in your life.  As I mentioned and as you probably already know, change is hard.  However, if we have a good reason to change, then it becomes much easier.  In Ryan’s case, he realized he had to change or his girlfriend was going to leave him.  Many people change bad habits affecting their health for their children’s sake or to avoid divorce.  Whatever it is, you have to find a reason to change that is bigger than the habit.  Do it for someone you love!

2.  Make a firm decision to change and stick to it.

At some point, you have to decide that you are sick and tired of wallowing in your bad habit.  You have to choose a better life for yourself.  No one can do it for you.  You have to face the day of reckoning and decide to take the high road.  I love how Ryan put it.  He said, “That’s when I vowed to change.”  A vow is defined as a solemn promise.  It has to come from your heart.  Addicts often promise to change when faced with consequences, but then fail to follow through.  This decision has to come from deep within you and needs to be backed up with the motivation from #1 above.

3.  Change your friends and surroundings.

You must get away from those things that influence and encourage you in the wrong direction.  If your bad habit is extreme like an addiction, then you need to get radical.  Stop associating with your so-called friends that participate in your bad habit with you.  Ryan stopped going to parties and distanced himself from his friends.  We are all social creatures and the peer pressure is usually too much to resist.  You need to get away to a new environment that will give you the freedom you need to make positive choices.  A pastor of mine that was a recovered cocaine addict said it this way, “You have to change your playmates, playground and play things.” 

4.  Change is gradual so be patient with yourself.

Notice in Ryan’s story that even after he vowed to stop drinking, he was still smoking marijuana.  It took him awhile to realize the extent of his bad habits.  He had to get free of the effects of the alcohol first before he could see what else he needed to change.  You cannot expect yourself or others to change completely overnight.  Most people experience setbacks when they commit to change, but don’t let this stop you.  It is discouraging, but it doesn’t mean you have failed.  It just means that you are human.  Failure only comes to those that give up.  Those that succeed in breaking bad habits and addictions are the ones that are patient and forgiving with themselves.  They learn from their mistakes and move on.

5.  Seek help and don’t believe you can change alone.

We need encouragement and ideas from others to succeed in making drastic changes in our lives.  The support of family, loved ones, and even online friends will help us to stay on track.  It also makes us accountable to someone.  We should share our desire to change with others so we’ll have positive pressure to stay the course.  Ryan found the help he needed on self-improvement websites.  He stated, “Any problem I had someone else had already dealt with.”  This is so true.  We often feel so alone and that our problems are unique.  This is usually not the case at all.  Fortunately, as Ryan discovered, there are a lot of people willing to help.

6.  Experience some success and find renewed hope.

As we begin to change, positive things start happening in our lives.  This gives us a renewed sense of hope.  For Ryan, he quickly saw improvements in his mental faculties when he broke his addiction to drugs and alcohol.  He regained his memory and started applying himself to worthwhile endeavors.  His success has led him to try new things like playing the piano and guitar.  These hobbies have helped him to find new friends to replace the ones he left behind.  It takes time, but by making some good choices, it really is possible to build a whole new life.

7.  Begin helping others get free from bad habits.

Helping others break free will reinforce the new habits you have formed.  It will also give you a sense of purpose.  You will become the one with the experience needed to guide those that need help.  Ryan is telling his story in an effort to give hope to others.  He wants people to know that they don’t have to continue bad habits that are harmful.  They can choose to be free and then help others to do the same.

Bad habits and addictions can be broken.

As Ryan’s story illustrates, it is absolutely possible to be free of the habits and addictions that are holding you back.  Freedom is available to you.  It is a choice you can make.  It is difficult and scary, but it is worth it.  Don’t keep living a life that is less than the best.  Break free of the madness!  Make your decision today to change!

What advice can you offer to those trying to break free from bad habits or addictions?

Photo by notsogoodphotography

More Resources for Creating Positive Change

Forming New Habits – Approach the Goal Gradually
50 Tips From My Year of Change
4 Powerful Tips for Breaking Bad Habits
9 Tips for Restarting a Habit After Falling Off the Wagon