Coach Corby: Change Your Life Tomorrow … Today

By CORBY WINTERS, Ambassador at Large

Corby Carlin Winters

Just think about that. Is there one small thing you want to commit to today that can change your life tomorrow forever? Most of us want to make change in our lives, but we can get so overwhelmed at the very thought of it so we don’t take the initial step. Then we end up doing nothing at all.

Making changes is hard, well, actually very hard, whether it is starting an exercise program, eating healthier, stopping an addictive behavior or just beginning to attend church regularly. Whatever issue you are facing you can do it, but you need a plan and probably a support system.

Here are some ways I think making changes in our lives easier.

Start today and start small. Small is ok. But start. Personally, I know what it’s like to feel stuck and feeling overwhelmed on where to start. I highly recommend choosing just one or maybe two goals.

Be patient with yourself when making a new change in your life. Research indicates it often takes about 21 days to form a new habit and about 90 to make it more permanent. But that said, just take one day at a time and do not throw in the towel if your plan goes sideways . All hope is not lost. Just reboot the plan in place.

Remember most of all that “Nothing changes if nothing changes!” Sadly, doing the same thing over and over again is just going to give you the same results. Making a new choice is the first Great Step to change. So just start with a small change and it is totally okay to ask for help from friends, spouses or even a counselor.

As a counselor and life coach, I too have wanted to make changes in my life. I too have been depressed and overwhelmed by life. There was a particular time I was really struggling. I needed help so I went back to therapy and faced the fact that getting up in the morning was overwhelming. So I started setting my alarm on my phone for 12 noon. I knew I had to get out of bed and start taking care of myself. Each day I was out of bed by noon was a personal success.

To this day the alarm on my phone still goes off every day at noon and I consider that a big win and no matter where I am I remember that feeling of personal progress and success.

Another big issue is our thoughts and how they greatly influence our behavior. So if you find yourself saying negative things to yourself like “ I can never change” you probably want to change the narrative and your self-talk .

Rather than saying “I can’t change,” you can say “I am changing for the better every day” or, I deserve to be loved by myself and others or I am capable of changing. I believe scriptures can also be very helpful such as Psalms 37:4, John 15:7 Jeremiah 29:11 You are not alone. The Lord is with you every step of the way and He wants you to walk in peace, joy, hope, grace, forgiveness and freedom. Even finding quotes that inspire you is great too.

I love the SMART goals (Specific- Measurable – Achievable- Realistic –Time). And I also love setting short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals.

For example, rather than saying “I am going to exercise everyday 7 days a week for an hour a day,” but you haven’t exercised in years, then it might be unrealistic. It is better to experience small successes than failed goals.

Smart goals are critical to your success. Such as committing to exercising 3 days a week and you are more than likely to reach your goals. Even just consider yoga stretches in your bed. or small hand weights to exercise with while watching television. Think about committing to making lunch two days a week rather than eating out five days a week. Goodness, even just putting on some great music and dancing around the house is great for you.

I believe we all want to live a better life. I believe that God will give you the strength to make those changes you desire. He can help you start over again and live that life.

Take the first step today. Freedom awaits you and tomorrow will certainly be a new day when you begin making new choices today!

You can do it!