Have you ever heard the phrase, “Actions speak louder than words?” It’s one thing to say you want something, but quite another to put movement with those words. Actions, or what you do, communicates more clearly than what you say. If you want change, speak with your actions. Don’t just tell yourself what you want, take action. Criticizing yourself, feeling bad, saying you are sorry, do not create transformation. A change in behavior creates a change in results.
Change doesn’t happen on its own. No one is going to ride up on a white horse and save our butt. If we want change we are responsible for taking action. If change isn’t occurring, it doesn’t matter how much we talk about wanting life to be different. We either are, or are not, taking the appropriate actions to create that life.
Highly successful people define what they really want, and take simple, specific steps to get it. They take action! With a plan, focus, determination, and a positive attitude, anyone - including you - can reach their goals. First take the time to dream. Utilize your imagination and define your dream in a positive forward moving manner. It’s not enough to say, “I don’t want to be stuck making these same food choices.” Instead, flipping the statement into, “I make eating decisions that expand my happiness, and I feel proud of the decisions I make” clarifies direction while also accepting personal responsibility for the creation of greater happiness, love, and self-respect. Once your desired outcome is defined, find the baby steps that take you in that forward moving direction. Believe in yourself, and start walking!
Decide that each day you will contribute action toward your desires.
For your dream to come true, of course you have to take action! Once you’ve determined the direction of your life, nothing changes until you take action move in that general direction. It’s up to you to find the most doable step for this moment and take it. Why the smallest steps? Several reasons. First, success builds on success. Secondly, huge, dramatic life-changing solutions rarely work. It’s the journey that is most important; the destination is just icing on the cake.
What matters is that you made a vow to yourself to exercise each day, and you honored your word to yourself. We don’t feel good physically, mentally, or emotionally when we commit to certain actions and then do the opposite. We would be furious if a friend gave us a promise and then didn’t follow through. Yet we tolerate this personal dishonesty when we do it to ourselves. The action of not following through “speaks” that what we want and who we are is not worthy of our own respect.
Decrease Stress
Take a moment and consider a goal or desired outcome that you are not moving toward. For example eating peacefully, being fit and healthy, completing a project, starting your own business, etc. Notice your thoughts, words, actions and habits. Who has creative control of your life? Who has the final say, day by day, of what you choose to believe, speak, and do? Sit down, take some deep slow breaths, and close your eyes. Permit yourself a few minutes to allow your body calm and your mind to quiet down some.
Think of the situation you are facing and notice how your body feels. Observe where in your physical body you feel the discomfort of not placing a higher priority on your desired actions and behaviors. Do you feel it in your stomach? In your chest? In your neck and shoulders? Somewhere else? Notice any physical symptoms or muscle tension related to the situation.
Take another few deep breaths and gently relax.
Now, imagine one action that you could possibly take. For example, if your situation is to create normalized blood sugar levels, imagine one action that you could take. Perhaps that action is imagining your body with healthy blood sugar levels, or perhaps the action is to monitor your blood glucose levels. It doesn’t matter what the action is, it’s just a possibility. Take some time and notice what that action looks like. See whatever it is you see. Now allow yourself to hear what that action sounds like. Perhaps you are hearing the sounds of supportive family members, or you may be hearing cheering supportive voices in your own head.
Allow yourself to feel the action scenario in your body. When you see and hear the scenario of yourself taking this particular action, what happens in your body? Do you notice tension or discomfort anywhere? Does your breathing change tighten or expand? Does your body clench, constrict, or does it open up? Do you sense an openness and willingness to follow through? You already know, in this moment, whether this is an action that you are capable and willing to take today. You already know whether this is an action you think you “should” be taking.
If you already know you won’t follow through with this specific action step today, choose another action which you absolutely know you will achieve. Bring the correct action to this moment. Choose what you feels good and right, and then follow through.
Action Challenge:
Take a few minutes and list several of the smallest steps that will move you slightly forward towards the life you want. Find easy, “Yes, I could - and would - do this today” steps. Choose ones that are the right size: small enough that they do not overwhelm, but large enough to feel exciting. Show up in your life and take that one doable step. You’ll feel great that did!
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Dr. Annette Colby, RD can help you take the pain out of life, turn difficult emotions into joy, release stress, end emotional eating, and move beyond depression into an extraordinary life! Annette is the author of Your Highest Potential and has the unique ability to show you how to spark an amazing relationship with your life! Visit www.LovingMiracles.com to access hundreds of content filled articles and sign up for a Fr’ee subscription to Loving Miracles! newsletter.