girl stuck in trap needs to change her life

A 7-minute read.

So… you tried to make a change in your life…

and it didn’t work…

again.

Taking action without seeing desired results can be incredibly frustrating, often leading to self-doubt and a cycle of mediocrity.

It can feel like you’re walking into a wall over and over.

Without fixing this, you can stay stuck in the quicksand of stagnation, wondering…

“What could life be like if I could just make this work?”

The root cause for the lack of results? Your current self.

Let me explain…

The version of you who will have that dream body, that will run a successful business, that will live a fulfilled life, is not who you are today. 

So what’s the solution?

Leave behind the old you, and transform into the new you. ‘to the left, to the left’

This transformation isn’t just about wishful thinking; it requires a deliberate shift in mindset, adopting new habits, and shedding old ones that no longer serve you.

It’s simple if you think about it…big changes require big changes. 

Take a look outside, the trees are starting to flower and grow, but first, they need to shed all their old leaves in the fall and winter. 

Just as in weight lifting, to build bigger stronger muscles, we need to first tear them down in the gym.

In our case, before we can become what we want to be, we need to let go of what we are…

If you’re ready to blossom into your future self, this is the blog.

Here is how you start the transformation…

1) Accept the Past and Let Go

Your past is just that – past.

It does not dictate your actions or outcomes.

For many, the fear of past failures bleeds into the now, creating worry and self-doubt, hindering our progress. 

It’s vital to understand, however, that a bad day, or a bad experience, does not forecast a bad future.

Every moment is a new opportunity to make the right decision or the wrong decision. 

You must realize you are in control.

Letting go of the past isn’t just beneficial; it’s necessary for growth.

The past is done, you cannot change it…

But through your actions, you can shape the present and future, and create the life you desire.

Ready to make a change? 

Next are the actions you can take…

2) Change Your Environment, Change Your Life

shake up your life like an etch a sketch

Reset the board.

Refreshing our environment can clear the mental cues leading us to failure, making room for new habits and preventing a fallback into old ones 1 2.

Here’s how to rejuvenate your surroundings:

  • Workplace: Switch up your work location to a library or coffee shop, or rearrange your office furniture for a fresh perspective.
  • Digital Backgrounds: Update the wallpapers on your phone and computer.
  • Morning Routine: Consider waking up earlier to kickstart your day differently.
  • Personal Style: Refresh your hairstyle and wardrobe with something that makes you feel confident.
  • Short Trips: A weekend or day trip can provide a much-needed change of scenery.

Not everything may apply to your situation, but experiment with what works for you. 

I encourage you to think outside the box for more personalized ideas!

3) Give up Bad Habits

lady giving up bad habits

Reflect on your daily habits: are they leading you toward the best version of yourself? 

It’s time to identify and eliminate those that aren’t. 

Here’s a plan to get started:

  • Identify Detrimental Habits: Make a list of habits that negatively affect your health or progress. This could include consuming unhealthy foods and beverages, excessive screen time, or engaging in activities that don’t serve your well-being.
  • Evaluate and Act: For each habit, ask if it’s bringing value to your life. Is scrolling through your phone for hours or indulging in junk food helping you achieve your goals? If not, it’s time to cut back or quit.
  • Discipline and Decision: Acknowledge that to change your life it requires discipline.

Begin by reducing or eliminating:

  • Unhealthy consumption: Fast food, soda, candy, and other sugary snacks.
  • Digital Overuse: Monitor screen time and delete non-beneficial apps.
  • Counterproductive Activities: Assess your involvement in actions like excessive smoking, drinking, staying up late, or worrying over uncontrollables.
  • Mindful Consumption: Be wary of overconsuming motivational content without action. For more on this, read my last blog on this topic

Breaking habits isn’t easy, but by systematically addressing bad habits, you pave the way for significant improvement in your life.

4) Adopt New Daily Habits

Out with the old, in with the new!

Envision the daily life of the ideal version of yourself—what habits do they embody?

While the specifics can depend on your goals, to start embodying this ideal version of yourself, consider adopting these foundational habits:

  • Physical Activity: Incorporate exercise or any form of body movement into your routine.
  • Nutritious Eating: Focus on healthy eating habits. If you’re looking for guidance, we’re here to help.
  • Hydration: Ensure you’re drinking enough water throughout the day.
  • Adequate Sleep: Prioritize getting enough sleep to recharge and restore.
  • Productive Work Sessions: Dedicate time to focused and uninterrupted work.

Once you get the basics down, you can identify and integrate more habits tailored to your unique goals!

To find your unique habits, start by asking yourself: “What actions can I take every day that will move me toward my goal?”

*If you need help finding your unique habits, reply below and I’ll provide more guidance*

Integrate both fundamental and unique habits into your routine and watch how your life begins to align with your ideal version of yourself.

Making the Change, and Change Your Life

person making a change in their life and escaping a cycle

It’s time to take action! 

If you’re serious about escaping the cycle of mediocrity and truly transforming your behavior and life…

Invest a few minutes to deeply consider each step outlined in this post. Reflect on how these steps apply to your life and start implementing the changes.

Ultimately, you only have two options:

Continue on your current path, repeatedly setting goals only to abandon them, remaining trapped in dissatisfaction and unfulfilled desires. This path only leads one way. If you’re not climbing up, you’re probably sliding down.

Or instead…

Follow the guidance provided, and embrace change with an open heart. By reevaluating your life, shaking up your environment, and swapping bad habits with good ones, you’ll witness a profound shift in outcomes.

Good in = Good out. 

You can have anything you want in this life, and you can become the person you aspire to be…

The joy of fulfillment is yours when you embark on this journey.

It is absolutely possible to change your life.

You just need to put the work in.

Take what’s yours, DopeFam.

Review and apply the steps to jump-start your Journey to Dopeness TODAY.

Stay Growing, Stay Dope,

chef dopeness

References

  1. https://www.healthline.com/health/the-science-of-habit#16 ↩︎
  2. https://cultivatewhatmatters.com/blogs/cwm/achieving-your-goals-by-changing-cues-in-your-environment ↩︎

Relevant Readings

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Meals of Dopeness