During several recent coaching calls I’ve conducted, we’ve discussed change-related topics in business and life, and I’m always amazed by how quickly we forget that we, as leaders, actually resist change as much as anyone on our team.

That may not sit terribly well with you, but I’m not here to do anything other than tell you the truth so you can decide what your own truth is and execute the greatest life available to you.

Freedom comes from consciously creating your life, your business and your relationships. When you think about change, you might need to reframe your perception of it.

Change might come across as bad at times, but you have always made it through and usually come out on the other side with more experience and a fresh perspective. How can that be a bad thing? Most people aren’t living the lives they want, but don’t realize why they aren’t progressing at the rate they desire. It’s usually because they are afraid of change, or simply unwilling to do the work necessary to reach their goals.

This month, I wanted to remind you of the framework that was the basis for my first book, “The Six Dimensions of C.H.A.N.G.E.” Just because something is getting older doesn’t mean it won’t work just as well as before. When it comes to creating change in any aspect of life or business, make sure you check in with my Six Dimensions for a much smoother transition to a life of happiness and fulfillment.

Here are my Six Dimensions of C.H.A.N.G.E.

 

C — CLARITY

You can look back on your life right now and know when you’ve performed from a place of clarity versus when you’ve struggled along, just bouncing like a pinball without direction.

When you know what you want, things tend to go more smoothly are feel more rewarding. When you don’t, things seem chaotic, “busy,” and unproductive. If you’re having a challenging time finding clarity around what you want, start with getting crystal clear about what you don’t want any more.

You see, without a clear destination or plan, your life and business will control you when, really, you should be the one in charge of your own life. Clarity puts you back in charge.

 

H — HABIT

The great Warren Buffet once said, “Chains of habit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken.” If you’ve ever been addicted to nicotine, caffeine, chocolate or anything else, you know how powerful habits are. However, habits themselves are not bad — they are simply actions we do repeatedly. We just need to focus our actions in a productive direction rather than in a negative, destructive direction like most habits we think about.

The word “habit” has somehow developed a negative connotation over the years, but think about how positive habits can be, like going to the gym, cooking healthy meals, or giving positive reinforcement to team members on a regular basis.

Habits shape our lives, so make sure yours are creating positive patterns and changes.

 

A — ACTION

When you gain clarity about what you want (and/or don’t want) regarding your life, and when you examine how your habits are or aren’t serving you, you’ll be able to channel massive action in the right direction for the best results possible.

Life always rewards positive action-takers, so develop a concise plan and direct your energy toward what you really want your life and company to look like. Start by setting specific goals with corresponding achievement dates, and then figure out what you need to do to make those things happen, as well as who can help you do so. Most goals are not achieved alone, so don’t be shy about telling others what you want and allowing them to help on your journey.

 

N — NEVER GIVE UP

Perhaps it’s a result of the way I was raised, but for most of my life, I’ve honestly been surprised by how easily people give up on their goals and dreams, become complacent, and just take the path of least resistance. That’s probably one of the reasons I developed my passion for helping people accomplish more than they ever thought possible.

Remember the old saying, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going”? Realize this: The saying isn’t, “When the going gets tough, just quit!” Sometimes you need to adjust your path, but do not give up.

Accomplishing your goals and creating massive change in your life isn’t necessarily easy, but trust me, it’s worth it. The things you really want are closer than you think — it just takes that little bit of extra effort when you feel like giving up to make a huge difference in the outcome of any situation.

 

G — GRATITUDE

When you are going through massive change in life or your circumstances seem less than ideal, it can be hard to feel grateful all the time, but I can assure you there are so many things to be grateful for at any moment.

For example, you woke up this morning and probably had some breakfast and/or coffee, right? We often take the simple fact of being alive and healthy for granted, and the fact that we have food readily available is a privilege that some people in the world would love to have.

Not to get too deep here, but when we move through our days with gratitude, events we view as challenges seem less catastrophic and a bit easier to handle; it really puts things in perspective and makes goals seem more achievable.

 

E — ENTHUSIASM

Do you love life? I mean, really love it? I hear a lot of people say they love it, but then move through their days like a sloth climbing a tree in Costa Rica (you’ve got to see that someday, by the way — they are fascinating creatures).

It’s time to get fired up and find some renewed passion in your life. Get back to that inner spark and what drives you; really look at what gives you energy and excites you. Also recognize the people and tasks that bring you down and drain your motivation, and then minimize those as much as possible. Life is too short to wait. Now is your time to make the changes necessary to get to your next level, my friend.

 

PUT IT ALL TOGETHER

Life rewards people who find clarity surrounding what they want out of life, build positive habits, take necessary actions without giving up, and live lives full of gratitude and enthusiasm. I know you can have everything you want in your life and business. I also know that these Six Dimensions of C.H.A.N.G.E. can help you accomplish what you want while remaining in synergy and enjoyment.

I joke that I “wrote the book on change,” but I truly believe when we can adapt to change, view it as a positive thing, and allow it to benefit us on a regular basis, we start to live better lives, run better businesses, and have a more positive impact on the world around us.