Most of us struggle with change.

Consider the following three keys to making personal improvements.

1. Motive

Start with your motivation. Why do you want to change? Is it you or someone else who wants you to change?

There’s nothing wrong with someone else encouraging the change. However, if the desire doesn’t come from within, the change will not be permanent. As soon as the external motivator is gone, you’ll revert to your old ways.

Change cannot be imposed upon us. For permanent change to take place, it must come from a deep desire within.

2. Accountability

You do want to change, but you are not making much progress. The will to change is not enough! Why? Because we need accountability. It is the difference between success and failure.

The moment you become accountable for your actions to someone else, your perspective shifts. Before engaging in the old behavior, you’ll think twice because you know you’ll need give an account for your actions. This knowing serves as a deterrent. Hence, this is one of the reasons why life coaching is so effective. I hold my clients accountable for the goals and changes they want to achieve.

With a great coach, procrastinators change into great achievers. Have you noticed in sports what they do whenever a team is not performing well? Yep. They take a deep look at the coach. Why? Because the coach plays a crucial role in making the players better.

3. Reward

The ability to say, “I used to ___ but I don’t anymore” is so empowering!

You now have control over that “thing” that controlled you in the past. It can be a negative pattern, bad habit or even things of a bigger nature. But whatever it may be, it no longer controls you.

Make a list of things you want to change. Consider your motives, use the right tool, and envision the reward of a better you. Change is a possibility.

What steps have worked in your life to make changes?