The more things change the more they stay the same

The only constant is change, wrote the greek philosopher Heraclitus in the 6th Century BC. 


This is true. However the interesting thing is that although things change our response to the change may still remain the same.
I find myself stuck in patterns that are no longer useful to me. I am sur that I am not the only one! The trick is to spot these patterns/habits and replace them with something more empowering. 


This is quite a process.
• Identify what's not working
• Reflect on why, how, when, where this doesn't work for you          
• What is going to work better? How will this change your life/work/ relationship
• How are you going to implement this change? What might stop you?
• How are you going to measure your success?
• How are you going to make this change stick?

Socrates said, “ Enlightenment lies not in the answer but in the question.”

Sustainable Change requires a Sustainable Plan

You can change for change's sake however if you want to make changes that make a difference this requires a plan. 
Change is like the tip of the iceberg. It looks like things are changing however if you don't consider what lies beneath suatainable change is unlikely. 
What is it that I want to change? 
It is the submerged part of the iceberg that gets in the way. It is those things that we keep invisible that trip us up.

Having a plan necessitates that you think about your goal.
What will it look like?
What will you have to do to achieve it?
What are you prepared to do, what actions will you take?
What are you prepared to let go?
Is it in line with your values?
What will get in your way? (Most of the time it is YOU)
Is it realistic or is it something I think I should do?
What will be my first step and all the steps there after. How will I know I have achieved it?
How will it make a difference to me/others ?
How am I going to support these changes?
SO many questions.
Unless you set the foundations there is nothing to support your good intentions they will melt away.
You will be left with another question. Why didn't that work?

Plan Persistence & Possibility

“The key to change... is to let go of fear.” 

 I started out with enthusiasm. Talked to friends and others about what I was doing. Like any new plan I was engaged for the first few weeks and then it trailed off. What got in the way? . I began to question the relevance of what I was doing. Why bother no one else is looking. Without a map I lost my way. I was disappointed in myself so I said it doesn't really matter. Isn't that why we tackle the discomfort of change because we want something better. It takes the 3 P's  PLAN -PERSISTENCE and POSSIBILITY

What Have I done?

I find writing a blog challenging. When I started I was really pleased with myself, it was just like writing a journal. I didn't intend to share it with others, but without feedback I soon lost interest. Writing a blog reveals who you are. I haven't got time to create a new persona.So sometimes I feel like the fish in that fish bowl, very exposed.Writing a blog takes discipline, it takes time and if it isn't going to be of value to anyone why bother. 
I really had to ponder if a Blog was for me. 
Doing anything new can be challenging. It won't be sustainable unless it is linked to a clear purpose. So my purpose this year is to explore change that support who we are when we are at our very best.

Keeping on track

I was reminded again today about how often we (1) can get side tracked. I say we in that I think I am not alone. It is obvious that we need a plan and a compelling vision of what we want to do, be or achieve. However for me this is not enough. I love the big ideas and connecting with others who share or desire to travel in the same direction. However I am someone who needs an itinerary to keep me focus on track and moving in the right direction. I am planning a trip to Laos, Cambodia & Vietnam. It is a holiday, an adventure, a challenge, an opportunity for the new and different. Taking all of these elements into account it will not happen without research, planning, input from travelers who have been to this destination before and my ability to make choices. "The devils in the detail" and so it is for me. I need to check back on the itinerary. Am I going in my desired direction or do I need to change course. Am I travelling solo or in good company.

Honesty paved with good intentions

My aim in writing this blog is to be honest. I find change challenging as the next person. The truth is I have not done what I said I would. My favourite aunt used to quote that "the road to hell is paved with good intentions" I have often thought that maybe I have surfaced a super highway. Maybe that is too harsh but I certainly have felt guilty.
Guilt is one of those barriers that stop people perservering with change. It builds a brick wall of self doubt, excuses and siphons our energy. Things happen, people often don't do what they say they will.  I am not going to waste time in self crticism because I know this doesn't lead anywhere useful.
When I googled this quote it said that Perfectionist are especially prone to have their intentions backfire in this way. Interesting! I know I have a perfectionist streak ....
Rather than reflecting on the problem (worthwhile) I need to work out a solution to keep me on track. 8 am I will set challenge for the day & before I go to bed I will reflect, review  and write.

Being a good friend

“A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.”

How easy it is to take things for granted !

As I walked Baci this morning I had time to reflect on my good fortune. Believe me I don't always feel this way!

I guess I had set the foundations for a positive day. I had meditated and set the time aside to take Baci for a walk in her favourite park.
I had the space to think about what would be my change challenge today. It is so easy to get caught up in the clutter of  our lives rather than focusing on what is important. 
For the last week or so I have been wasting my energy and time angsting over tax & avoiding what I knew I should be doing. With this mindset life has not been much fun.
Connection and friendships are very important to me and yet it is amazing how easily I let other things get in the way.

Over the next 70 days I am going to explore what things I need to change to insure that I support and nurture my friendships and focus on being a " better" friend. 

Today I made time to make those important calls to 4 friends.

I have started to organised a MAD (Making A Difference) dinner and will donate the funds raised to the Peter Mac foundation.  It is a small way of showing support for my friend who is currently being treated for cancer. Every little bit helps.