New year, new beginnings: don’t get stuck in a rut

way. You need to think about it. It may, at first, seem difficult and weird, but if you persist it will become easier and feel more comfortable.

• Be honest about what is holding you back. If you tried the above activity, did you become aware of what you were feeling and thinking? Was it negative? Did you think or use words like “this is too hard … this is so uncomfortable, I can’t do it, why bother?”

• Learn to develop an internal cheer squad, which has you saying “this is hard, but it’s what I want to do. I’ll keep on trying. I can do this.” scenarios? Did you experience such a high level of distress that you decided not to proceed?

This fear of change is based as much on evolution (nature) as it is in our individual experiences (nurture). We are conditioned and naturally programmed to like to be in control. So, the fear of change is both an outcome of nature and nurture.

Despite this, we can gain insights into our own behaviours around change and this can be better understood, managed and altered.

Think back to when man first inhabited Earth. At some point everyone was an unknown. It takes courage and action to tread a path of positivity and beneficial outcomes. We need to work towards a mindset that welcomes and embraces change.

Some steps to help bring about change:

• Identify what you want to change.

• Break it down so that the change is realistic and manageable. We can only cope with one thing at time so don’t try and change your whole world. In this case the adage Rome wasn’t built in a day is true.

• Embrace the discomfort, rather than shut it down by not making changes. Try this simple activity: Cross your arms. Easy and comfortable. Now do it the other