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How do I change? – The secret of small chunks – Part 1

change

Several years ago while I was a manager in a Fortune 50 company, I figured out very quickly that when I was overwhelmed with several things to do, I became paralyzed.  I couldn’t even think about the difficulties that were in front of me.  The only option in my mind was just to keep avoiding.  Everything seemed like an insurmountable task.

Then I learned about the secret of small chunks.  I started dedicating a portion of our weekly team meeting to actively work on some of the issues that I couldn’t seem to put time to.  Wow!  I couldn’t believe how quickly things started to change.  My thoughts and feelings of “This will never change” were replaced with an excitement of how much better things were.

Are you wanting to make some changes in your life, but it seems like the changes are just to big to tackle?  Maybe you really want to get into God’s word, eat better, or get into shape but your life keeps getting in the way.  Here are some practical suggestions for implementing a change in your life:

1. Submit everything to God.  Change is difficult and you want your changes to be motivated by and in line with His desires for your life.

2. Set aside 15 min/day to focus on identifying and working on whatever it is you want to change.   Everyone can find at least 15min.

3. Be consistent in taking that time every day – everyone knows that repetitive action forms habits.  If this is a struggle for you, get a friend involved to help hold you accountable.

4. Free yourself from the need to rush to make changes.  Chances are this thing you want to change has been there for a while.  It didn’t get there overnight so it’s okay if it takes a little longer than a minute to be changed.  Habits are more likely to stay if they are formed over time.

5. Don’t get discouraged by the quantity of change – The reality is you are making change.  Before you implemented this you only wished you were changing..now you are!

If you’re a skeptic like me, you may be saying wow that’s not really going to change anything if you’re only spending 15 min/day.  Think about what you could change if you had 90hrs to work on it uninterrupted?  Well 15min a day is actually over 90hrs time in a year.  I have employed this technique to attack complex issues in our large family, my employment and personal life change.

Read the book of Nehemiah and look what was accomplished for Israel via small chunks.  Everyone took their little section.  They weren’t all expert builders.  They dedicated chunks of time over the long haul and accomplished a great work of change.

Draw near to God today and seek what needs to be changed in your walk with Him.  Begin your day with Him, live your day with Him, and close your day with Him.  Set aside the 15min/day for identifying and implementing change in your life.  Put away your complaining and switch to Nehemiah’s approach of Prayer and then Action..

More on Nehemiah tomorrow….Will you join me?

6 thoughts on “How do I change? – The secret of small chunks – Part 1

  1. Great advice…..I even find this idea helps in housework. You can do it all so pick something until it’s done. God bless you, Brian.

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