5 Steps to Create Change that Will Reignite Your Spirit

A decision to change is the first step in reigniting your spirit.  Sometimes, a person gets to the point where he or she is fed up with how they have been living or thinking.  Depending on the stage of life, various circumstances are the catalyst for change. For example, it could be the transition from graduating from college, and you have to find a job, while others may seek a new career mid-life when their job is no longer fulfilling. Or perhaps the children are grown, and you find yourself an empty nester, or maybe a spouse has died, or a significant relationship has ended.  Whatever the circumstances are that bring you to this crossroads, change must take place. To make the change happen, there are five steps to get through the crossroads, as noted below.

5 Steps to Creating Change

1. Decide - Commit to making a change

2. Dream- Visualize the change

3. Write it Down - Your Dreams or New Commitments

4. Create Your Action Plan

5. Work Each Day on Your Action Plan

Step 1 to Creating Change

To begin the process after the decision has been made, you must be willing to commit to yourself. Think about it: would you tell a friend I’ll pick you up for lunch tomorrow and then not just show up? What would that do to your friendship? It probably would not last very long and your friend would say you are unreliable and not trustworthy. Be a best friend to Yourself and show up for what you say you are going to do. By doing that, you will begin to see yourself as a person with integrity, and someone who is super dependable. The type of person people are attracted to and respect. Seeing these qualities in yourself is an awesome confidence booster and encourages you to continue down the path of change, which sparks the fire in your soul!

Step 2 Finding your FLOW

Next, you will want to take the time to think about what excites you and brings you joy.  What gives you energy, what brings a smile to your face, or, as Kaitlyn discussed this week, what puts you in the FLOW of life? Start to bring back that childlike playfulness to your thoughts, grab your pen and paper, and reflect on those moments of joy in your life.  Write down the events, and truly feel the feelings as you relive those moments. Then document the positive feelings and begin to imagine if these scenarios can be recreated today and how. If not, what can you think of now that you could get lost in and find true bliss?

For example, as a kid, I loved playing capture the flag, ice skating, hide and seek in the neighborhood, and tennis at the park.  I loved being outside, the fresh air, hanging out with friends, and the movement.  As an adult, working, family, and just getting older, I find that life is more sedentary at times, and taking a moment for myself or “play time” is usually not at the top of the daily to-do list.  However, if you truly want to be the best version of yourself which will shine through to others, finding things that lift your spirits and bring you joy is just as important as any other task or obligation.  

To capture that feeling of connection with friends, movement, fresh air, and stress relief, walking with some neighbors has become my new playtime.  Several times a week, we will walk together for 45 minutes, talk, laugh, and, best of all, we are moving.  Those elements from childhood that boosted my mood and infused my soul are recaptured with my walking buddies.  

Perhaps a walking group or just walking in solitude is what you need to reignite your spirit.  Once you have picked and written the activity, create the action plan to get the new process in motion.  Schedule the time on your calendar to make it a part of your new normal, a positive new habit.  Commit daily to whatever the activity is.  Research says that it takes approximately 66 days to lock in a new habit (Gardner et al., 2012). Break down the 66 days into three 22-day segments. Once the first 22-day mark is achieved, celebrate and go another 22 days. After the second 22 days, it should really feel like a natural part of your daily/weekly routine. Continue your commitment to change until it becomes as second nature as brushing your teeth!  Mark your calendar each day your new habit is practiced, and be proud of the commitment you are making to yourself.

Step 3 Write it Down

As we noted in our book review blog, the Alone Advantage by Terri Savelle Foy, she notes that a key component to success is writing your dreams and goals down. It has been noted that when you write down what you want, you are more apt to achieve it. By taking the time to actually put your thoughts on paper, you are further showing your commitment to the desired change/goal you want to achieve.

Step 4 Create an Action Plan for Change

To get the change in motion, create your Action Plan. It can be simple, but write it down and check each step as it is accomplished.  Those check marks feel and look great and make you want to keep going until the full plan is in motion. But to successfully reignite your spirit through change, you must take action. It may be a challenge initially, but as you learn and grow into the change, it will become easier and part of your life. Jack Canfield noted in his book, The Success Principles, "All manner of good things begin to flow in your direction once you begin to take action (Canfield, 2015, p. 133)."

Step 5 Work Each Day on Your Action Plan

So, take some time each day to focus on the change that you have written down and have committed to taking action. Even if it isn't a day you are to do the change activity, taking some time each day to focus on what you are working to achieve continues to propel your positive actions forward. If it is helpful, put some reminders around the house of the change/goal you are achieving. Devoting some time each day to your desired goal will reignite your spirit as you successfully transform yourself into the best version of you.

Here is an example of getting a walking group together:

1. Call your friends and family. Ask if they are interested in walking for 30 minutes on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 7 AM. We will meet at the park's main entrance.

2. I will text the group the evening before, around 8 PM, with a reminder.

3. We will commit to starting and finishing on time to respect everyone’s schedule.

4. We will have a celebratory breakfast on a Saturday morning once we have walked 50 miles.

Make the Change to Reignite Your Spirit

Review your new commitment daily and focus on the joy of knowing you are following through on a goal to reignite your spirit, care for yourself, and become a better version of yourself!

References

Gardner B, Lally P, & Wardle J. (2012). Making health habitual: the psychology of 'habit-formation' and general practice. Br J Gen Pract, 62(605):664-6. doi: 10.3399/bjgp12X659466. PMID: 23211256; PMCID

Canfield, J. (2015). The success principles (10th ed.). HarperCollins.