Q: I try to change but I can’t—why?
A: Before I answer your question
Quarterbacks Manning and Wilson eclipsed Punxsutawney Phil; the Super Bowl overshadowed Groundhog Day. However, now is a good time to download the movie Groundhog Day. Why? If you think you are having trouble changing, take a look at “Phil,” played by Bill Murray.
In the movie we see Bill Murray waking up day after day trapped in the day before Groundhog Day. Disbelief, anger, and reckless behavior characterize his half-empty view of life. Slowly he discovers that when he changes his reactions to the events around him he is able to impact what happens around him. See the movie to witness the complete transformation but, to answer your question, YOU have a choice: change your behavior and you will get different results, or don’t change your behavior and stay trapped in the repeating loop of “same action equals same outcome.”
When you say, “I can’t change,” consider the following:
Questions:
- What do you want?
- If you continue on the same course, what will your future be?
- What is the “low hanging” [e.g. easiest/less threatening] skill, knowledge or behavior
that you can change? - What is the benefit (to you) of not changing?
- What is the benefit to you, your family, your boss, and your colleagues of change?
- When is your next opportunity to “act, do or be” different?
- What choice(s) will you make? When?
Finally, everyone knows that insanity is doing the same thing over and expecting a different outcome. Focus on the outcomes that you want to have in your life and make the appropriate choices—change will follow. Turn your circle into a spiral and start climbing.
Need a laugh?
In 1937 Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow at 9:09 AM after an unfortunate meeting with a skunk!