In life it can be all too easy to continue doing what we have always done. We may well decide to change and do something different or more challenging another time, but right now we are too busy, we have already made a lot of busy commitments. The problem is tomorrow never comes and a part of us knows that. So we may find that we stay in our familiar routine, even if it is busy and dynamic, planning at some point to make changes.
Pushing ourselves to do more or change is a very powerful message to give ourselves. We are worth more, or need to do something better or different. However making the effort to change things does require time and effort because initially we have to consider the options, evaluate how they can happen and then find ways to implement them.
- Start by noticing the little things. Some people eat the same things all the time, read the same newspaper, listen to the same radio programmes, follow the same routine. Some routine is comfortable and helps us to manage stress and go on auto-pilot for a time. But we need to notice if we are allowing ourselves to become dull and mundane when actually there is some potential to change things and become more alert and open to positive options.
- In business it is always important to look out for ways to improve, maybe looking to widen the range of goods and services that we offer, define our role differently and widen our customer base or even find a new challenge. Business owners and managers need to take time to appraise their overall business and its performance regularly. Review what is being offered, are there any new innovations that could be introduced, how is the competition faring and what are they doing ? Staying with what we do because we know it and are comfortable with it can be a short-sighted vision. New customers are often looking for innovative companies who do more than just sell or deliver what is asked for.
See what other companies in your field are doing and investigate if there is any potential to link forces. Sometimes complementary businesses can form beneficial alliances and offer a more interesting service to their customers. This does require that the business owners do their homework and consider how it will work, how it can be put together as a comprehensive package, how and to whom it will be marketed.
- As an employee it can sometimes be easy to stay with what we are doing, stay within a particular industry or service sector. If other parts of our life are demanding or stressful we may not want to rock the boat and instead choose to stay with the regular salary and familiar work. But sometimes pushing ourselves can bring a whole new lease of life into our world. Trying for a big promotion or applying for a secondment into a different department or even extending our interests into another field can bring much needed enthusiasm into our work environment. A new challenge can make us more energetic and stretch us in satisfying and fulfilling ways. Often we do not realise what we are capable of until we try.
- Exercise and fitness levels. Many people who exercise do the same workout on a regular basis. Often they say that they will do something different, increase their weights, change their routine at the next session. The truth is our bodies quickly get used to doing a certain pattern of exercises and very quickly the overall benefits reduce. If you are committing to spending a regular period of time working out, surely you are worth getting the maximum improvements from all that effort. Minor changes can make all the difference and will surprise your body into getting the best results from what you are doing and the time that you are spending.
Pushing ourselves reminds us that we are alive and awake. Doing the same things, following a routine is to some extent a part of daily life. By negotiating with the things that we can change we push ourselves a little more and feel so much better for it. We are worth making that effort for.
Susan Leigh, Counsellor and Hypnotherapist
www.lifestyletherapy.net