Change - how does it succeed? A deeper insight, especially for beliefs.
Changes take place in five steps and factors:
- Realization: Recognize what you want to change and WHY you want to change it.
- Reflection: Pay attention to when you want a new behavior. Every time you feel that you want to act or think differently, make yourself aware: "I would actually want to react differently now."
- Take small steps: Take small steps towards positive change. They don't have to be big steps, but rather small ones that you can easily implement.
- Positive reinforcement: Reward yourself for your success and never punish yourself for mistakes or "failures". Associate every step with a positive thought and consciously praise yourself when you have successfully mastered a small step.
- Surround yourself with people who support you in your change.
An example
One change that I have consciously undergone concerns my attitude to the professional world. I always thought I had to study at a top university and then climb the career ladder.
But suddenly I was standing there and didn't even have a job. I no longer identified with my job and my success in life. I often doubted who I actually was now if I couldn't say that I had a top job in a top company.
That really got to me. Suddenly I was just Moni and my new company Sattler Consulting GmbH. Most of the time I loved building my own company (point 1), but occasionally, especially when I talked to people who had exactly the top job in the top company and the recognition that went with it, I struggled with myself. Shouldn't I have that too? (point 2)
I often had this inner dilemma between "what do I really want" and "what should I do" ..... whenever I doubted my role as a self-employed person, I made a pros and cons list (point 3, here, making a list was a way to change for me).
What would be great about a corporate role? What is great about my current role as a self-employed person? And I always came to the same conclusion - my passion for what I do outweighs titles, status and money.
I have emphasized more on the positive aspects that come with being self-employed. (Point 4, I am aware of the negative aspects, but I accept them instead of making them the main issue).
Over the years, the questions have become less frequent and the doubts weaker, especially because I am in contact with other self-employed people (point 5). This means that doubts don't arise in the first place because everyone is in the same situation.
Changes don't happen overnight - especially when it comes to deeply rooted beliefs. It is therefore all the more important to be fully aware of your values.
By the way, this topic is part of the "Identify your career" program. Find out more about my success mindset programs here.