Empower Your Change: Focus on Influence for Lasting Impact
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Chapter 1: The Power of Fresh Starts
There's a unique allure to new beginnings. They embody the potential for transformation and ignite our aspirations for something greater. This moment in time can plant the seed of a profound change within you. However, you may find yourself questioning your ability to succeed.
I wholeheartedly believe in your capacity for change. As a psychotherapist specializing in supporting women toward improved health and happiness, I have learned that the key to maintaining your resolutions lies in emphasizing influence instead of control. By adopting a thoughtful approach to your aspirations, you cultivate the self-confidence and resilience necessary to remain steadfast.
As you contemplate your New Year’s resolutions, it's crucial to recognize that how you articulate your goals is just as significant as the goals themselves. A 2020 study from Sweden demonstrated that goals focused on positive outcomes are generally more effective than those aimed at avoiding negative ones.
Goals that embrace what you wish to nurture in your life, along with their benefits, are termed approach-oriented. In contrast, avoidance-oriented goals concentrate on eliminating undesirable behaviors or outcomes. For instance, if weight loss is your target, an approach-oriented goal could be, “Walking daily will enhance my energy and strength,” while an avoidance goal might state, “I must cut out sugar to lose weight.”
Your identity is a dynamic journey that evolves throughout your life. Hence, it's essential to remain aware of how your needs and desires shift over time. A New Year’s resolution serves as a powerful means to set intentions that reaffirm what is truly important to you.
Here are my top three suggestions for prioritizing influence over control:
Section 1.1: Revise Your Expectations
Practice the art of adjusting your expectations. This concept fosters the mental flexibility necessary to adapt your goals. When striving for change, it’s easy to get swept up in inspiration and set lofty objectives that promise a brighter future.
It’s common to underestimate the actual journey ahead. By revising your expectations, you demonstrate resilience and learn to view setbacks not as failures, but as stepping stones. Resolutions are most effective when you’re open to modifying them based on how your journey unfolds, allowing you to extend compassion to yourself while remaining committed to your wellness.
Section 1.2: Cultivate Curiosity
Stay curious. Ask yourself, "What’s possible?" Embracing curiosity invites openness and allows you to accept your current situation and capabilities without the need to dominate or control. This mindset encourages adaptability and nurtures your self-confidence.
Focusing on what’s possible reinforces your influence over your life. You affirm your abilities while steering clear of a scarcity mindset, channeling your energy toward proactive measures.
Chapter 2: Embracing Resistance
Resistance is a natural part of change. Instead of shying away from it, welcome it and engage creatively with the tension it brings. Resistance often acts as a self-protective mechanism, and our instinct is to evade it. By embracing it, you diminish its hold over you.
Creative outlets—like writing, drawing, or singing—can serve as powerful means to express your resistance. They offer an opportunity to release pent-up feelings and alleviate pressure. When you can articulate your resistance, navigating through it becomes more manageable.
By approaching your New Year’s resolutions with an acceptance of the change process, resistance transforms from a hurdle into a catalyst for growth. This shift moves you away from an all-or-nothing mindset, enabling you to perceive your goals as part of a continuum of development.
Embrace this fresh start by concentrating on the influence you possess over your life. May these insights assist you in enhancing your health and wellness in sustainable, adaptable, and compassionate ways.
In the first video, "How Do I Have More Impact and Influence at Work?" with guest Liz Wiseman, you will learn strategies to enhance your influence in professional environments, encouraging adaptability and positive change.
The second video, "Struggling to Throw Strikes? | 5 Tips to Improve Command in Pitchers," provides valuable insights for athletes looking to improve their performance, showcasing the importance of focus and adaptability in achieving success.