Radical Acceptance and the Power of Change

When we think about the art of change, often there is an automatic judgment attached to it based on our personal experiences or fears. Bottom line: Change is hard.  Often what would be most impactful to creating change are the very things that have been a part of our psyche for a long time.  If your thoughts and patterns have been crafted over decades, the chances are these things aren’t going to change over night. Just keep going and don’t ever stop.

The 5 Most Effective Ways to Achieve Long-Lasting Change.

1. Be kind to yourself. You are your toughest critic. Hint: Speak to yourself the way you would speak to your little sister or your best friend.
2. Give up all hope of having a better past. The past is over, which doesn’t mean it isn’t important—it is; it is also unchangeable.  Focus on the areas of your life you can change. Focus on the here and now.
3. Practice gratitude every day. No matter what kind of day you are having, find at least 3 things in your day you are grateful for.
4. Celebrate all successes small and large. Focus on the things you did right. Focus on each success twice as much or at least as long as the things you aren’t doing…yet.
5. Practice acceptance. Accept reality as it is, rather than the way you think it should be. Accept yourself exactly as you are, right here, right now. Let’s face it, we are never exactly where we want to be, but often we are exactly where we need to be.  And also, accept yourself because you are just awesome.