Be An Agent for Change

A change agent is someone who is easily able to make changes in their lives and the lives of others. They are considered to be people of great influence and very likable. They seem like natural leaders. These desirable traits can be built and enhanced in just a single step. That step is to learn and build a belief in yourself that you can easily change your own beliefs.

Think about that for a moment. What bigger transition could you make than to fully believe that you can change anything? Wouldn't that empower you to take on any challenge, overcome any obstacle and outperform any expectation? That is what a change agent needs to do and they need to be able to instill that in others as well to not only change themselves, but also those they interact with and teach.

1. Write Down The Ways You Resist Change. "Some people change when they see the light, others when they feel the heat. ~ Caroline Schoeder If you really want to change, you have to figure out what is stopping the change first.

2. Create Alte
atives to the Resistance. "Only in growth, reform, and change, paradoxically enough, is true security to be found." ~ Anne Morrow LindberghOne of the easiest ways to change is to take your list from #1 above and encourage yourself to do the exact opposite. If that is not possible, create small steps to get there and then take the first step.

3. Believe That Change Is Possible. "The most powerful agent of growth and transformation is something much more basic than any technique: a change of heart." ~ John Welwood. If there is a voice inside your head that thinks change is not possible, it must be shut up. Write down why you know change is possible.

4. Inventory Your Strengths and Weaknesses. "If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain." ~ Maya Angelou. Benchmarking at the beginning lets you know what you've got to work with and what you need to change. Maybe a friend could help you with the list.

5. Buddy Up With a Supporter. "Become a student of change. It is the only thing that will remain constant." ~ Anthony J. D'Angelo. We all adore the concept of self-sufficiency but we all appreciate and feel good when someone else tells us "You can do it" or "You did a great job." Don't be shy about having a buddy.

6. Do the Things That Scare You. "Your current safe boundries were once unknown frontiers." ~ Unknown. Eleanor Roosevelt said "Do one thing every day that scares you." You will discover that the fears aren't as big as you thought they were and that you can easily overcome them just by moving forward into them or right through them.

7. Overcome Rigidity and Pessimism. "If you are still being hurt by an event that happened to you at twelve, it is the thought that is hurting you now." ~ James Hillman. You might think that the way you are right now is good enough so why change? Or, you might have a negative, pessimist outlook on your life. Get help with these problems because they will keep you from the change you desire.

8. Discover Where You Are Most Comfortable. "It is never too late to become what you might have been." ~ George Elliott You don't have to change everything on your list at one time. Choose one item with which you are most comfortable and begin with that one.

9. Focus on An Action Plan. "Don't fear change, embrace it." ~ Anthony J. D'Angelo. Write the plan and then adhere to it. No plan, no change. Life is intentional, so set your intentions.

10. Review and Refocus Monthly. "Everybody wants to be somebody; nobody wants to grow." ~ GoetheReview your progress on the plan and rewrite it if you need to. Revisions will keep you moving forward.

"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending." ~ Maria Robinson