Waiting For Change

On a daily basis we see ourselves making bad decisions -- opting for that frozen pizza over steaming frozen veggies, watching the latest episode of Mad Men instead of getting outside for a spell -- and we know they're not ideal choices.  We know we should probably make some changes, get active, eat healthier, yadda yadda. And we will! Right after this episode. And we're just so slammed at work this week. But, we tell ourselves, something will change! . . . Eventually.

How? If just will.

It seems like many of us spend our lives waiting for dramatic catalysts to knock us into action. We see the startling transformations of extreme makeover TV and think, "If only I had a personal trainer, a cadre of nutritionists, constant supervision and a million dollar prize on the line. Then I would definitely change my life!"

For myself, I blame this in part on the romantic idealism instilled in me at a young age by the likes of Jane Austen and other wish-fulfillment stories. It's that secret belief that someday, a handsome stranger (or fad diet or inheritance check) will swoop in out of nowhere and fix everything.

I see this kind of justification in my thinking all the time. Instead of eating well right now, I think, "Eh, I'll get started on that next week. This week is just too busy." Without a big event to train for, I skip workouts, promising myself that I'll start my regimen really soon. No, really, I will!

But, with the exception of lottery winners and reality TV stars, change doesn't just happen to us. It's the hundreds of small, daily choices that truly make up who we are and the shape of our lives. So to change your life, you change your habits.

Seems simple enough, but the act of stepping out of a deeply engrained rut is not easy. The path of least resistance is easy. Making a conscious decision to value your health, time and priorities takes effort, which means work, which is hard. Cue the whining.

Fortunately, we have hundreds of opportunities every day to make better choices. Some days we might opt for frozen pizza, or skip a workout in favor of finishing a project -- and that's OK. If we can stop and really see the choices we're making, we're that much more equipped to make better decisions tomorrow. Like anything else, prioritizing and living your values requires constant practice.

So start small. Today, simply pay attention to the decisions you make, and ask yourself why it is you're choosing that route. And then? If you're up for it, let's all do just one thing to challenge our routines, something we've been putting off.

Visit the group fitness class you've been eyeing, add one veggie to dinner tonight and really savor it, take a 20 minute walk instead of turning on the TV, read an inspiring book, tell someone what's been on your mind. Whatever it is, there's probably at least one thing you can do today that will help move you toward your goals -- even if it's just writing down your goals!

What are we waiting for?

For a whole bucket load of easy, daily actions that can change your life, read Resolutions Workshop 2010: Action!

(Photo by gorillaroad.)