It’s normal to feel the need to get on with life. The problem is that we often wait until the last moment. In other words, we’re tired and pessimistic. And yet, it’s very clear to us that we need to change. So how do we go about it? Where do we start? Here are the 5 super-powerful steps to change your life.

1 – Taking stock to regain control of your life

Sometimes, you just want to start all over again. The problem is, it’s not always a good idea.

Starting all over again means destroying everything, and that’s often very hard on morale, because we feel like we’re going backwards.

But what we need most when we want to get on with our lives is a sense of moving forward.

That’s why I wholeheartedly invite you to change your life while keeping what you’ve got more or less intact (laughs).

And to do that, I advise you to take stock.

In concrete terms, take a sheet of paper and a pencil and make a list of everything that’s wrong with your life, on the one hand, and everything that’s right with your life, on the other.

Do this for each area of your life.

For example: what’s right and wrong in your work, your relationship, your personal life.

Really take the time to do this, because you’ll then be able to make more relevant changes in your life, and so put all the chances on your side to motivate yourself to achieve them.

So don’t hesitate to take several days to complete this first step.

2 – Listen to your desires and silence your mind

Secondly, when you want to take control of your life, it’s essential to listen to your desires – in other words, to listen to your inner voice.

All too often, when we want to change our lives, we fall into our comfort zone and don’t really dare to do what’s really important to us.

That’s why I wholeheartedly invite you to pick up another sheet of paper and a pencil.

To make this list, I invite you to go somewhere you particularly like: in nature, in a coffee shop, for example.

Because you need to feel relaxed and even optimistic to listen to your inner voice.

So, once you’re in front of your sheet of paper, close your eyes and ask yourself: “In my future new life, what do I want?”

Then list everything.

To help you go really deep, I invite you to list at least 30 ideas. That’s ambitious enough for you to really have to dig deep inside yourself.

Finally, don’t listen to your mind. If it’s telling you that what you’re writing on your sheet of paper is trash, then keep writing, because it’s actually a great idea!

Because your mind isn’t always your best ally, especially at this time of life change. Indeed, it will try to dissuade you by any means necessary, because what your mind likes most of all is its comfort zone. So don’t listen to it. Listen only to your inner voice.

3 – Set great goals to take control of your life

Once you’ve finished listing all your desires, at least 30 of them, it’s time to set some awesome goals.

In fact, to get your life back on track, to motivate yourself, you need to plan a crazy year!

Because the problem is that, sooner or later, your mind is going to do everything in its power to get you back to sleep and back into your comfort zone.

In other words, you mustn’t fall asleep. For that, you need a crazy program!

So, how do you go about it?

Go back to your two lists. Reread them. Reread them several times. Underline the things you particularly like.

Then turn them into goals. But not just any goals.

You need great goals, goals that give you butterflies in your stomach.

For example: you want to feel better in your body and start exercising again. Why not set yourself a great goal: within the next 12 months, I’ll be able to run 10 km without stopping.

Or you could set yourself the following goal: within the next 12 months, I’ll be able to do a yoga posture that seems impossible today.

Another example: you want a richer social life. Why not set yourself a goal: within the next 12 months, I can see myself at ease in a group. A sports group, a reading group, a theater group, whatever.

Ideally, you’d need at least 12 great goals.

The point is not to put pressure on yourself, but to give yourself the irresistible urge to take control of your life.

4 – Change your habits to succeed in changing your life

It’s possible that you’ve already tried to change your life several times, but haven’t succeeded.

That’s why, today, you’re both enthusiastic and skeptical.

So I’m going to tell you the secret to achieving the goals you’ve set for yourself.

In fact, the secret is not to rely on motivation, but on habits.

Motivation fluctuates from day to day. One day, you’re super-motivated, the next, not at all. And that’s normal.

That’s why you need to establish habits.

So, for each of your awesome goals, find a habit that could help you move forward on the goal.

For example: your goal is to end up running 10 km without stopping. Why not get into the habit of running twice a week: on Wednesdays and Saturdays. And start by running 1 km.

Another example: your goal is to find a job in which you really thrive. Why not get into the habit of taking 1 hour every Saturday to do some research?

I wholeheartedly invite you to list 1 or 2 habits for each of your goals. Then get started!

5 – Get help to motivate yourself to take control of your life

As I was saying, our motivation fluctuates over time. What’s more, our minds regularly make us doubt and put us to sleep, so that we wisely return to our comfort zone.

That’s why it’s often essential to get help when you want to get your life back on track.

And that’s normal!

The problem is that the people around us don’t always have the best advice, and they often make us doubt more than anything else.

Indeed, they too would sometimes like us to return to our comfort zone.

Because when we start to take control of our lives, we unwittingly upset those around us.

Personally, I’ve had a lot of help from self-help books. I’ve read hundreds of them. At one point, I was reading between 2 and 3 a week.

I also took courses on self-confidence and motivation.

And I know that it’s thanks to all this that I’ve been able to get my life back on track.

So, if you’d like some help in changing your life, give yourself this gift. I’ll be happy to accompany you.

Find out more:

I invite you to read these 2 complementary articles:

Discover Make your dreams come true: 10 good reasons to make your dreams a priority
Discover Kaizen method: 3 steps to reach your goals in small steps

I recommend this inspiring book:

The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg

Charles Duhigg’s book offers insights into how to take control of your life by understanding the science of habit. Exploring the habit loop (cue, routine, reward), Duhigg guides readers through reshaping their habits to create positive change. By recognizing and modifying habits, individuals gain the power to take control of their behaviors and, consequently, their lives. The book combines scientific research with real-life examples, offering a practical guide to breaking unwanted patterns and establishing habits that align with personal goals and aspirations.

An essential book for fans of psychology and neuroscience, offering a comprehensive introduction to the workings of certain parts of the brain that have a major impact on our lives. A true handbook on the limits and potential of the human mind, with beautiful prose and interesting and sometimes fascinating case studies.
Thank you very much for reading this article.

If you liked it, let me know in the comments.

Take care of yourself