Dr. Laura Blog

Change is scary. We like what’s familiar, and we don’t easily shift out of our habits and routines, even when they’re causing us great pain or unhappiness. It’s the price of losing everything you know versus gaining what you don’t know.

So, if you’re looking to make a big change in your life, here’s what you have to do.

1. Come up with a game plan. What’s your goal? What’s your end point?

2. Keep your mind on your goal. All kinds of things are going to interrupt, discourage, and scare you. That’s why every day you need to remind yourself of the goal.

3. Remain optimistic. Things may not be perfect, but they will be better.

4. Surround yourself with people who support you. Nix the naysayers.

5. Be open to new ideas. When someone offers you advice, don’t ignore it. Think about how you may or may not incorporate it.

6. Look for the lesson. When you experience a setback along the way (and you will), try to see how you can learn from it.