Change

Change. Does that word make you cringe or feel curious? Maybe a bit of both? I remember a time in my life when I would do everything in my power to avoid change. I wanted predictability and efficiency. Every move was thoughtfully calculated to methodically control outcomes. I was always prepared because I was thinking three steps ahead. Talk about an exhausting mode of operation! But what happened when things didn’t go to plan? Yep, disappointment and all the feelings that accompany unmet expectations would quickly set in. In hindsight, this mode of change-resistant operation often left me feeling unfulfilled, exhausted and certainly not present.

I have heard it said that it takes 30 days to change something into a habit. When I think about habits I have changed, while it certainly has taken 30 days of conscious effort, I actually think it takes much more time to turn something from a practice to a lifestyle. This has been particularly true when I’ve worked on changing my mindset.

I have generally categorized myself as someone with a growth mindset, but I was also quite rigid in my thinking. As research continues to evolve about the power of mindset I have become much more aware of how I speak to myself and others. Have you ever thought about how you think? Do you have a growth or fixed mindset? Do you you think you could teach yourself to make some tweaks or changes to your mindset to better set yourself up for abundance?

So why change? Well, it is the one thing we can always count on so we may as well create habits that prepare us and leave us feeling fulfilled through the inevitability of change. Sometimes change is difficult and painful and sometimes it happens without us even being aware. What if we could set ourselves up for optimal response to change? I think a great place to start is by taking a look at your daily mode of operation, or your daily routine.

Television host and motivational speaker, Mel Robbins as well as international best selling author of The Miracle Morning, Hal Elrod have helped me understand why changing some daily habits, particularly in the morning hours are so vital to living your most creative, accomplished and generally best life. Through their research, insight and inspiration I have moved my phone from my night stand into my bathroom to charge overnight. I no longer go to sleep, or more importantly, wake up mindlessly scrolling social media and checking emails that immediately shut off my creative brain. With my cell phone safely tucked away in the bathroom I find myself in the moments before my eyes open with the most vivid, clear thoughts and ideas that inspire me to open my eyes and excitedly face the day. I bound out of bed with optimism for jumping on the path towards my goals and visions. I drink a glass of water first thing out of bed and further contemplate my fresh perspective before I even pick up my beloved phone. Making a few simple changes to my daily routine has dramatically shifted the way I operate all day long. Here are a few recommendations if you are feeling courageous enough to give your daily mode of operation a bit of a shake up!

Now that you have had an opportunity to reframe the idea of change, my hope is that you feel more curious than cringing. When we live with the door open for change, with a growth mindset, we invite opportunities that are often far better then what we could have predicted or planned for in our lives. Embrace change, let your creative mind explore and if nothing else, move your cell phone from your nightstand!