[PODCAST 158]: 7 Ways to Generate the Courage to Change

I found this quote the other day by E.E. Cummings that says, “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.”

This quote elicits quite a few emotions for me:

• Excitement–because I love the idea of growing and becoming, and it feels thrilling to think about reaching my full potential

• Fear–because I wonder if I have that courage and capacity inside me–or I wonder if perhaps “who I really am” isn’t as great as I thought it would be

• Curiosity–because I feel these “whisperings” in my heart, leading me towards a future I can’t totally see..but my faith and hope keep telling me to keep moving, keep trying, and keep acting on those thoughts and ideas that come into my heart.

You may feel something totally different when you read that quote (and I would love to hear more about it in the comments section!), but for today, I want to focus on the courage that is required for any change that we make.

In theory, change seems like a no-brainer. If we don’t love our current reality, WHY would we not change it?

But we all know it’s not that easy. Perhaps there are fears we need to face, people we feel we need to protect, beliefs that seem SO REAL that we need to edit out of our lives, worry that our efforts will waste energy without producing results, or a genuine sense of comfort we can’t imagine losing.

So for help on this, I went to our STEP Mastery community (Steps to Everyday Productivity is our signature program about organization), and I asked this question:

For those of you STEPpers who are currently in the middle of “change” (meaning you have made some progress and you are seeing growth), what finally gave you the courage to do so?

Their responses were SO good! I’m going to include just a few of them here, and they are talking specifically about our STEP program, but I hope that these ideas will empower you today as you are contemplating the changes you want to make in any area of your own life.

(1) Believe In Our Value

Natalie: I had such a desire to be a better person for my family, my church, to be a good example. I found LearnDoBecome through a Facebook ad and eventually signed up for the free Stop Drowning in Piles course. At the end when you were talking about signing up for the full program, I was so undecided until either you or Eric said that “You are worth investing in.” I was on the verge of tears because I wanted so badly to really believe that I was worth investing in, not just to make myself better for others but to make myself better for me, that I had value. In that moment, I realized that I could see value in myself and change simply because I was worth it. I haven’t regretted signing up for Mastery a single second. I, and so many others, have been blessed because I chose to believe the truth.

(We’re not trying to make this into a sales pitch for STEP, but I do hope you can see how much this belief in ourselves matters as we make decisions…)

(2) Decide to End the Desperation

Jo: No courage, more like desperation. Things can’t stay the way they are.

The details might look different for you, but feelings of desperation are incredibly common. Jo actually got very ill and nearly died earlier this year. She added that she needed to be pragmatic, and as she looked around at all the “stuff” in her life, she realized there was no way she would need all of them in the time she had left. So she decided to take action. Ideally, we’ll make needed changes in our lives before we get to the point of desperation, but if any part of you is saying, “Things can’t stay this way,” I hope you’ll take courage and do something about it as soon as possible.

(3) Be Kind to Ourselves

Wrenee: When I learned to stop judging myself and instead chose to be graceful with myself (regarding my stops-and-starts and slow progress), that’s when I finally started to create change in both how I think and achieving more freedom and peace-of-mind from my results implementing the program. I finally accepted that ruminating about how long it’s taking me was getting in my own way, so instead I focused on doing whatever I can, little by little. This year has really been the year that I’ve been able to implement the program better: more consistently and effectively. It’s still not complete, and it’s not perfect, but it still is bringing much more freedom and peace of mind to us!

(4) Commit to a Balanced Life

Nic: When I first discovered STEP, it was a short webinar, and the LIGHT BULB of, some goals/tasks for me, some goals/tasks for family, some goals/tasks for work – and an EVEN split being the big thing – it just had me realise I did NOT do anything for myself, at all. (She went on to share some of her projects and goals that will nurture her in each area of her life.)

It might not sound like much, but to me it is MASSIVE, to intentionally create and have a structure for a balanced life. I know it will help my emotional and mental health – as well as the obvious clarity and calm it will bring to work.

(5) Work in Microbursts

Katherine: [After I purchased the program], I didn’t touch it for a couple months. Finally, I told myself that I could get in and read it for just 5 minutes. I made a pact with myself to do that and I did.I came across the concepts of the pain point and microburst around the same time. So then I told myself I could tackle a pain point for just a microburst each day. I got the entire first pain point resolved in the first microburst! Chunking things and asking myself what I *could* do instead of focusing on what I couldn’t made a huge difference.

(6) Focus on Building a SYSTEM

James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, teaches, “You do not rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your systems.” I have found this to be true in every area of my life, and I was incredibly touched by this next message from our community:

Yaisa: For me, it was the third time I broke down sobbing because I just could not stay on top of the many responsibilities of my job. I was overwhelmed and exhausted all the time. My family time was suffering and my mental health was beginning to suffer too. After listening to “Command Central in an Hour,” I knew this would help me regain control at work. Soon after, I created a digital command central at work and began implementing the other principles. Work is still insanely busy, but I am at peace because I have my very own trusted system that allows my brain to relax. I can now leave work at work knowing that I will know exactly where to pick it up the next workday. I am so grateful for the freedom and peace I have gained through this program.

(7) Increase Your Power through Accountability

Rebecca: Gosh…I believe that desperation and a desire for better motivate me the most to get started each time. I see something that I know annoys me and finally resolve to fix it. Little steps are important to take each day and I pick a project for weekends when I have time (like tackling a whole closet). For me, this group is about finding accountability and feeling powerful enough to make the changes I want to see instead of staying stuck in decades of bad habits.

I hope that these have brought you some encouragement today. If there is an area of your life that you know you need to change, I strongly encourage you to start making that change as soon as possible. You are worth it, and it will feel so great.

Sending lots of love!

Are You Looking to Finally Get “Organized” and Create a System to Calm Your Mind and Support Your Busy Life?

Four Weeks to Finished is a powerful group coaching session starting September 1st! 

This is the most support and coaching we offer, and we only open a couple of times a year, so if you’d love to get your Command Central up and running so you can have a clear, calm mind, please join us!

For all our STEP Mastery members, we’ve recently launched some special Member Bonuses!

In addition to your modules, Facebook community, and all the fun that comes with Mastery, we’re providing special classes to help you make the most of your new system!

If you’re not yet a member of STEP Mastery, now is a great time to join! You’ll be eligible for all future member bonuses–AND you’ll have lifetime access to all the recordings and materials we’ve prepared to help you build your full Command Central.

Learn more about STEP Mastery right here–and message us at the bottom of that page (or send any questions to [email protected]) if we can help you know which program is right for you!