6 Ways to Achieve Positive Change
Learn how to invest in your own success by aiming for positive change, being open to new ideas, and being purposeful.
Invest In Your Own Success
Change occurs from within; it is not caused by an external force. Nothing will change until you choose for it to.
If you want to live the life you have always wanted, to experience ease and know peace, become an active participant in the management of your pain.
Positive Change Doesn’t Happen To You
Positive change doesn’t happen to you; it occurs because you choose for it to happen. No matter how much someone invests in helping you, you won’t get better until you allow their effort to have an effect.
Be Open To New Ideas
Be open to new ideas, especially if the ones you have been using aren’t working. Your brain is malleable; you can change and adapt.
You can transform your experience of life by adjusting how you perceive and think about it.
Be Purposeful
Change for the sake of change is chaos and rarely improves your life. If you want results that are lasting and beneficial,
- Think about how you want your life to be different.
- Be kind and considerate with your decisions.
- Be consistent.
Creating Positive Change
Changing to avoid a negative will result in a negative. Our brains have difficulty understanding the negative because it is an abstract concept. Instead of avoiding a negative, aim for achieving a positive. Make it something you can visualize and easily understand.
For example,
- “I’m going to bed early so that I am not tired.” – What does ‘not tired’ feel like? Is that a productive, beneficial experience? Surely it is better than being tired, but is it your preferred outcome?
- “I’m going to bed early, so I feel well rested in the morning.” – This statement can be felt because it is an actual feeling, instead of the absence of a negative symptom. It is measurable, and if we don’t feel well rested, we can commit to further adjustments to when and how we sleep so that we are.
Positive Change
Positive change rarely happens all at once. It grows through repeated experiences of safety, clearer understanding, and consistent support. If you would like guidance in this process, pain management coaching and the Discovering Safety Within program can help you.
Self-Care
Does gratitude help with chronic pain? Gratitude helps you gaze lovingly at the world around you and be thankful for every blessing. Here are 6 ways to explore gratitude.
Gratitude Activities
- Gratitude Journaling: Some time during the day, write down 3-5 things that you are grateful for and why. Be specific in your answers and reminisce about each experience as you write.
- Gratitude Jar: Write positive notes on slips of paper and add them to the jar. When you are having a rough day, open the jar and read a few notes to lift your spirit.
- Gratitude Walk: Go out for a walk and intentionally notice and appreciate what you see, hear, smell, and feel in nature or your surroundings.
- Express Appreciation: Call a friend, family member, or colleague and tell them something specific about them that you appreciate.
Goal Setting Activities
- SMART Goals: Break big goals into Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound steps. Review weekly and adjust your activities to maintain clarity and momentum.
- Visualization: Spend 5 or 10 minutes a day imagining successfully completing an important task. Try to make the mental image as engaging and vivid as possible, so you can see it as a real possibility.
Disclaimer
Information provided on this website, including educational materials, pain neuroscience explanations, treatment suggestions, and any other content shared during sessions, classes, or coaching, is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
You should always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical concerns. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of information you receive here.