… which is why most people don’t do it.

I’m currently taking a master’s class on mindfulness through UW Madison, which incorporates techniques using the latest research in mindfulness and neuroplasticity. A primary concept is that we CAN change our brains! And, that it takes practice!

So when you hear the old adage “He’s set in his ways” or “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” it’s hogwash. Learning new ways (and new tricks) is a practice of desire, awareness, and choice.

The first step is a desire to change. Next is getting clear on what you’d like to change and why you’d like to change it. It then becomes a conscious choice in practicing your new way of being.

As we teach at Thrive, intentional growth requires deliberate practice. Those neural pathways, those stories, those old patterns and ways of behaving take effort to change, which doesn’t happen overnight. With the practice needed to develop any skill, build any muscle, or change any habit, you too can change.

However, there are those people out there, and we all know one, who have absolutely no desire to change as they don’t see any reason to do so. They’re not concerned with the impact they’re having on others – they’re not even aware enough to notice.

“Everyone is doing their best from their level of consciousness” ¹ and, we all have the ability to expand our consciousness. But, you have to WANT to do it. If there’s no desire, if there’s no motivation, there is no change.

Sustainable change takes practice and a conscious decision/choice to become self-aware, personally responsible, and self-reflective. It’s easy to look at others and judge how they should be different so that you can feel better about yourself. It’s a lot more difficult to look at yourself and make changes in your own behaviors and reactions. It’s important not to force change on others while you remain the same. It never works.

People use a lot of reasons for avoiding personal development. However, after 2020, I hope that you see the importance of personal development now more than ever.

I know personal development…I live, breathe, and dream it. But, how do you get others to know it? “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” ² You can start with your influence.

¹ Deepak Chopra; ² Gandhi