The Integral Business Development System

What was your New Year Resolution this year?

Did you decide to eat more healthily, or exercise more regularly? Maybe you wanted to become a better listener, or be more patient, or work on reducing stress.

Whatever it was, how long did it last?

More often than not, in spite of truly being committed to our resolutions to make improvements, somehow they begin to fade away within a few weeks.

Why is this?

Could it be that we really didn’t want to make this change after all? Maybe we lack the determination or will power? Perhaps we’re just plain lazy?

Well, maybe it’s none of these!

Let’s start by acknowledging that any kind of change is difficult and uncomfortable — even if we initiate it ourselves. And often our desire to change something in our lives comes into conflict with our desire to avoid discomfort.

Also, the ripple effect from one “small” change can wreak havoc on not only on your life but also on others around you.

You may be surprised at the complexity of seemingly “simple” aspirations!

Watch the movie Educating Rita, for example, and you’ll see what I mean. All Rita wants to do is improve her lot in life by getting an education. Yet it causes all kinds of unexpected side-effects in her relationships with people around her.

These “side-effects” are what test your staying power. These are often the real reason that you’re unable to follow through with your original intention or goal.

So when you decide to make any kind of change in your life, here are some questions to ask yourself:

• Why is this important to me? Why do I really want to make this change?
• What outcomes or results am I looking for, and by when? In other words, what are my expectations? Are these realistic, and how do I know?
• Do I know what I need to do to get the results or outcomes I want? For instance, do I need more information, instructions or guidance? Do I need ongoing encouragement, or moral support? Do I need direct or indirect assistance from others?
• What impact will it have on other parts of my life if I make this change? How will it affect others in my life?

Write down your responses — it will help you notice the patterns and themes that exist. As you review them, see what you discover.

And here’s the secret: use what you learn from answering these questions to make your self-improvement project manageable for both you and those around you.