Why Change is Hard & How to do Hard Things More Easily

The Momentum Files #46

An easier way to navigate change.

Let’s face it. Change is inevitable, and it often requires you to do hard things – things that challenge you, test your patience and put you in situations that feel awkward and uncomfortable.

It’s a normal part of life… and one that happens to come with some cool perks. When you learn to navigate change more easily (and you can!), you’ll realize that you:

➝ become more resilient

➝ improve your problem-solving skills

➝ grow as a person and a professional

➝ become more confident and able to handle future change more easily

To roll with the punches and do hard things more easily, you simply have to…

Train your brain to make the hard stuff easier.

(And, yes, some things will be tough no matter what you do. But day-to-day life things become much easier to manage when you start to reframe the way your brain thinks.)

And you can.

First, let me ask you.

Have you heard of expedience bias? It’s an incredibly interesting and complex thing to explore. At its core, it’s your brain’s desire to do the thing that feels easy. The thing you can do quickly and then cross off your list.

For example, you might stay in a career role or industry – even if it’s no longer where you want to be – because it feels familiar. Easy. Comfortable.

And to shift to something better would require you to do the hard things – the uncomfortable, awkward, challenging things you would rather avoid.

To reframe the way your brain thinks, you have to recondition it to think more deeply about your options and desired results while resisting the urge to do what’s quick and easy – or do nothing at all.

It looks like this.

→ Identify WHAT you want (or need) to do.

→ Identify WHY you want (or need) to do it.

→ VISUALIZE the end result.

→ Spring into ACTION.

Here are some relatable examples.

Identify WHAT you want (or need) to do.

Simple enough. Think of a goal you want to accomplish or a task you want to complete. This could be something big or small. Slow down, take a few breaths and get clear on what you want.

→ I want to lose 10 pounds.

→ I want to run a 5k.

→ I want to transition into a new career.

→ I want to redecorate my house.

Identify WHY you want (or need) to do it.

Even if your why seems blatantly obvious, give this some real thought. Sometimes, your reason for wanting to do something goes deeper than you realize.

→ I want to be healthier. I want to feel good in my own skin again. And I want to fit into that amazing dress that has been hanging in my closet for 3 years – lonely and unworn.

→ I want to prove to myself that I can do it. I’m tired of the same old workouts and want to put the fun back into fitness.

→ I want to get out of this career rut. What I’m doing is no longer fulfilling or challenging. I don’t want my current career to be the only thing I’ve ever tried.

→ I never have friends over because I don’t like how my house looks, but redecorating feels like such a chore!

VISUALIZE the end result.

Here’s where you find your motivation! If you accomplish your goal, what would that look like? What would it feel like? This is not trying to manifest what you want. This is painting a mental picture of how your life looks and feels because you’ve done what you set out to do.

→ I finally feel confident again! I enjoy shopping for clothes again and love how I look. I even have more energy and zest for doing the things I love (after shying away from them when I didn’t like how I looked or felt).

→ I feel exhilaration every time I lace up my sneakers! Improving my fitness is now FUN and more challenging. I am going to run that 5k and cross that finish line like a rock star.

→ I am finally thriving professionally again! I am making the income I want while mastering new job responsibilities and enjoying variety on the job!

→ I am sitting around the fireplace with my closest friends, drinking wine, playing games and laughing the night away. And I have no insecurities about the state of my house. Having friends over now feels natural and comfortable and FUN!

Spring into ACTION.

This is the most important bit right here. Start taking those first steps. Take one step. Then another. And (drumroll, please!)… reward yourself every step along the way. This is more than a nice to do thing. It’s a thing that keeps you happy and motivated AND conditions your brain to think differently, see the good in what you’re doing and easily take on more complex decision-making.

→ I chose to eat the healthy salad that provides nutrients and energy instead of the gooey muffin that would have made me feel bloated and tired an hour after devouring it. Reward yourself!

→ Holy [*bleep*]! I ran a quarter mile – with no breaks – for the first time! Reward. I used to run to the end of the block and walk back, but this time I ran to the end of the block AND ran back! Reward!

→ I made two networking calls this week and already noticed I’m a little less anxious about the next call. Reward!

→ I ordered a new super comfortable sofa (perfect for curling up with a glass of wine) and a beautiful piece of artwork for the wall. Choose your reward!

How exciting is it that we can reprogram how our brains think?! We don’t stop learning and growing because we’ve reached adulthood.

Start practicing this new way of thinking and rewarding, and you’ll quickly notice the positive changes.

You will train your brain to more confidently approach the hard stuff – and take it on – not because it’s quick or easy - but because the results matter.

Once you’ve tested this out, reply and tell me how it’s going. I want to know about your goals… and the fun and exciting rewards!

If you would like expert guidance to help you get there, reply to this email and tell me what you need! I’d be honored to help you.