Is Embracing Change Beneficial for Your Growth? | Personal Wellness

Change, even when it’s wanted, can be difficult to accomplish for a variety of reasons, some of which we will discuss below, but each one can be successfully conquered! As it is said, change is the only constant in life, and it’s important we learn how to adapt and use it to our benefit, so we can maximize our personal growth and the impact we can make in the world. 

Why is embracing change hard?

There are three primary things that can throw us off course when we want to embrace change and step into the personal growth arena. 

1. The way our brains work.
2. Challenging our belief systems.
3. Other people’s reactions to our personal growth. 

Let’s start with the science first. Our brains’ primary objectives are to keep us safe and to conserve energy, so we survive. In both cases, staying inside our comfort zone accomplishes that. Our comfort zone is predictable and that makes it a lot easier for the brain to do its job. A habitual way of living lets the brain go into rote mode, where we can do so many of our day-to-day tasks without even thinking, saving the brain’s energy. 

The downside of staying inside our comfort zone is that we end up drifting through life, which limits personal growth and opportunity. If we want more in our lives and to live out a greater purpose, we must consciously step out of our comfort zones and start thinking differently about ourselves, our world and what’s possible for us. 

That brings us to the next hurdle to jump. Challenging beliefs can be difficult because many of them get shaped very early in life. Beliefs, which are simply the thoughts we think repeatedly, are like a well-worn path through a field. They are easier to travel than blazing a new trail, but we can do it if we set our minds to it, no matter how long or how frequently we’ve been walking the old path. 

To form new beliefs that support our efforts and greater life vision, we need to gain new perspectives and have new experiences to understand there are different ways of operating in the world. Again, this happens when we step outside our comfort zones and explore the things that are important to us and how we want to make our difference.

And finally, while personal growth can make us feel really good (CLICK HERE TO GET STEPS FOR SELF-ASSESSMENT), for some people in our lives, this new version of us can make them uncomfortable because we are no longer the predictable people they have come to expect. This unexpected change takes THEM outside of their comfort zones, causing stress, and possibly creating friction points between you. If we are not solidified in our purpose, this could cause us to revert to our old selves and familiar comfort zones to calm the waters. 

This is why, when we are embracing change, we must be very clear about the reasons these changes are important to us and how the changes will support the overall vision we have for our lives. Not only will it make it easier to set boundaries and stick to the new habits you are developing, but it will also enable more meaningful conversations about the reasons for your personal growth journey. This may make it easier for people in your life to understand and support the change. 

How to embrace a change mindset?

For some, the idea of change may feel scary, which is why it may be more comfortable to think about adopting a growth mindset or a beginner’s mindset to engage our curiosity instead. That small shift can make it feel more exciting than daunting to make changes. 

Change and growth are part of the process when we are pursuing things that truly matter to us. Afterall, nothing new happens without something different taking place. It’s when change comes unexpectedly that learning to adapt can be far more difficult. 

Traumatic change can cause us to question ourselves, our purpose and our way of life, creating a lot of upheaval and impacting our identity. But even traumatic change can bring the seeds of opportunity and a life greater than you can imagine, when you take the steps to work through it. 

During this kind of change, it’s important to go inward and rediscover yourself and what matters most to you. Examine your values and the things that truly make you feel fulfilled. While it might not give you all the answers, it will give you a way forward. 

How can I be successful by embracing change? 

To be successful, embracing change really is a must. To do it effectively, it helps to visualize a very clear end goal and why it’s so important to you. Make it as real as possible in your mind because it will build more meaning for the change, keeping you motivated and focused on moving forward. 

To get that kind of clarity, ask yourself these questions:

• What will I get that I don’t have now? There is something greater that you will achieve when you reach your goal. Take your time with this question and solidify all the good things that will come from making this change. 
• How much do I want this? If your goal does not magnetically pull you toward it, the goal might not be the right one for you. The more you want it, the more likely you will be to achieve it. 
• What am I willing to sacrifice to get it? To create the level of success you desire, you will have to stop doing some of the things you are doing now. That is how you break free from your comfort zone, which is why your answers from the previous question are so important. If your goals are meaningful enough, the sacrifices will be worth it. 
• Who do I need to become to make this change? To bring new things into your life, you must become someone new. You must think differently, make different decisions, and take new actions. Like learning any new skill, it just requires focus and consistency, until you can do it without thinking. 

The answers to the questions above will help you build your strategy for embracing change and increase your motivation to reach your goals and the success you desire. As you stick with it, you will see the many ways that embracing change is beneficial for your growth. 

Engaging with a master mentor can make embracing change and the journey to success a simpler process. It can cut down the amount of time it takes to reach your goals when you work with a mentor with experience and a proven track record. If you would like to accelerate your results, I invite you to apply for my Master Mentor Program today! 

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE!

“I searched out Sharon Lechter to be my mentor as I wanted someone who was already successful and did not need my money. Words can’t express my gratitude for what Sharon (and Michael) has done for me since becoming my personal mentor. Their knowledge is unparalleled and I’m so grateful for their insight and example of exactly what I need to do to fulfill my destiny as a speaker, trainer, and executive business mentor. Both Michael and Sharon are so easy to talk to, they listen, and give feedback on what you need and not on what you want to hear.

It’s amazing how they are so humble yet so largely connected and respected globally. The work they have done for and with me in such a short time is life-changing, the connections, the recognition by others and the fact it’s all about me and not them is a breath of fresh air. I love them both and so grateful for them in my life at this time.”

– Camilita Nuttall International Speaker, Corporate Sales Trainer