Motivation: Change Need Not Be Long and Painful

Somehow our culture has adopted the notion that change has to take a long time and be very painful.

Doesn't sound very attractive or compelling, does it?

A few myths about change

There are some occasions when change can take a long time. Often, however, change begins just as soon as you decide you are going to change.

Another myth about change is that a therapist or coach can somehow make us change. That's just not true. What a good therapist or coach can do is give you an understanding of the process of change, and, more importantly, the tools to make the changes.

Change ultimately comes from the inside. I guess this is best summed up by the old joke:

"How many therapist does it take to change a light bulb? Just one, but he light bulb has got to really want to change."

If you are trying to change someone else, it just won't work. The only person who likes to be changed by someone else is a wet baby.

We can change ourselves and many times our circumstances.

It's like the serenity prayer tells us:

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."