Creating the Change You Want (and Need)

Posted on December 29, 2018 by David Cunningham, One of Thousands of Spirituality Coaches on Noomii.

Step 1: What do you want to change?

Invite God to reveal one thing that may need to change in your life.
It can be an attitude, perception, or action. It could be giving up
something that has been a blockade to your goals or embracing some
new habit or attitude. Sit in meditation for 10 minutes. Write. Try not to
censor yourself. Is there is anything that is standing out? Once something
has started to come to mind try to refine and quantify it if appropriate.

Step 2: WHY?
A. Imagine your life as if this change has taken place. How is it
better? Who would benefit from this change? How so? How would it
affect your life mentally, physically, spiritually, financially, and
relationally? Write down these in as much detail as possible.
Consider also secondary and tertiary benefits from this change.
Write these down as well.
Now consider your life in 6 months, 1 year, 5 years and 10 years
after making this change. How do you feel? How desirable is this
new reality on a scale of 1-10? If it is less than as 8, you may
consider reimagining and/or reconsidering what you want to
change.
B. Now imagine if you refuse to change. How is your life worse off?
Who is suffering as a result? How so? How would it affect your life
mentally, physically, spiritually, financially, and relationally? Write
down these in as much detail as possible.
Consider also secondary and tertiary consequences from refusing
to change. Write these down as well.
Now consider your life in 6 months, 1 year, 5 years and 10 years not
making this change. How do you feel? How repulsive is this reality
on a scale of 1-10? If it is less than as 8, you may consider
reimagining and/or reconsidering what you want to change

Step 3: What stories are you telling?
Often we develop elaborate stories or excuses around our behavior
as rationalization or justification. Write these down. These may have been
passed down from well meaning friends and family or cultural norms.
Visualize writing all these excuses being tied to a balloon and
released into the air or tied to an anchor and thrown into the ocean.
Now invite God to give you a new story, a new narrative around this
behavior. Hopefully this new story invites and compels you to take action.

Step 4: Own it
Write and state your new reality in the form of an I AM statement.
This is both a prayer (I am is the name of God in the old testament) and an
affirmation of your new identity. Committing to read this daily for a period
of 6 months can have a profound impact on adapting your new reality
and reminding yourself of this commitment you have made.

Step 5: Action
What are some actions that need to be taken as a sign of your
commitment to this new life? List them. What is something that you can
do immediately to take action. Invite God to help you problem solve to
help make this decision a success.

Step 6: Partner
Ask God to show you a few people that will support you in this
decision. Explain to them why this decision is so important to you (step 2),
the new narrative you are attempting to have faith in, and the actions you
are committed to taking. Ask for their feedback and help. Commit to
accountability and ask for support and encouragement. Be clear about
what practically this looks like and the frequency.

Step 7: Give it away
After experiencing transformation and change, help and
encourage others that may be struggling with similar issues. This can be
as unobtrusive as posting something on social media or encouraging a
friend. As is said in AA, you have to give it away to keep it.