“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.”

We all nod in agreement when we hear this.

We all know change requires change.

Yet for some reason, all too often we keep doing more of the same.

And not only repeating the same habits, but often literally trying to do MORE of them!!!

So we are doing the thing that isn’t working and doing more of it, and expecting a different result…should we question our own sanity?!

How does it seem so obvious looking in from the outside, yet we all truly do this.

I know I’m guilty of it.

And I think it is because there are certain habits that just feel safe. They’ve wormed their way into our comfort zone.

And they are based on a piece of the puzzle that, yes, is correct.

However, they aren’t working.

Whether it’s the fully system that is missing, improper implementation…whatever…we are doing something, and keep doing something that isn’t getting us results, especially long term results.

And so often, it isn’t only not working now, BUT it’s setting us up to fail long term.

But it’s hard to take that step back and see this.

It’s hard to even stop the immediate gratification of FEELING like we’re doing something now or seeing instant results that often backfire, for long-term thinking.

It’s hard to accept even two steps back NOW for 10 steps forward in a future…at a date we can’t fully predict.

But again…Change requires change.

So a few things I’ve used to help myself, and my clients embrace the discomfort of something new and stop the insanity it is so easy to trap ourselves in.

#1: You can always go back.

If you’re going to try something new, try it. Give it your all. And realize, you can always go back. But the only way to see if there is something better, is to test.

What have you got to lose? You’re not happy right now. You’ve been looking for something new and better…

Why not give yourself the change?

Set an end date to assess, but commit to the time to truly see if it works. We can’t half do something and then say it doesn’t work. We’ve got to truly embrace the changes.

#2: Remind yourself of why you wanted the change.

Remind yourself that you aren’t happy with where you are current. Remind yourself that change requires change.

Too often we forget that what we have done in the past, what we want to continue to do is why we are where we are. Why we’re trapped in a horrible yo-yo dieting cycle.

Honestly, even write a list of the habits you’ve done and the cycle they created. Post that somewhere to remind yourself when you want to fall back into them.

#3: Step back to step forward.

I get it. We all want instant gratification.

But if your foundation is flawed, and you just try to build a house on it because you want the house to be done? Well it will end up a disaster.

If you notice a crack, an issue, a flaw, the sooner you go back to fix it the better, EVEN if it sets you back to start.

Sometimes, we have to realize that progress may not mean moving forward instantly.

It’s why setting even an end date and having something specifically we are tracking is key in terms of habit changes.

Because it may feel like you go backward before you go forward so seeing those habit changes as wins can help you see the positives building!

#4: Life doesn’t pause. You can’t start over.

Life doesn’t pause. You can’t erase what you’ve done prior. All you can do is build for the future.

Remember it’s a constant learning experience and that in life we should always be seeking to improve.

But that means letting go of old things and realizing that we may have to be uncomfortable.

And the more you do, the more you do.

The more you jump into the discomfort, the more comfortable you get with it because it’s now oddly familiar to be uncomfortable!

SUMMARY:

Just remember, change requires change and often those changes aren’t easy.

And in the moment when you want to revert back to old habits just think….

If a friend came to you and was repeating the habits that they’d always done and expecting a different result, what would you say to them?

If you’re ready to make a change and break through those old habits holding you back, learn more about the 3-Part RS Formula…

–> The RS Formula