Harnessing Energy to Make Change

"It's often said that people hate change, but that's clearly not true - people are constantly trying to improve themselves and their situations. Multiple studies reveal that the desire for change seems to be a core aspect of being human. When there is no change, we feel stagnant or bored and move on to something new. Even in studies of very young infants, researchers measure when the babies look away from an object to indicate when they are "done" and ready for change."

"When we succeed at something and get a reward, we feel happy, and that signals that we have accomplished the goal. We feel happy when we win, when we finish the race. That feeling of happiness is a signal that we can sit back, coast a bit, and enjoy our success. Many habit-building programs encourage us to celebrate success and reward ourselves when we make small changes."

Humans naturally seek change and become bored or stagnant without it, even from infancy. Intentional change like improving health, finances, or parenting demands long-term motivation and persistence. Emotional strategies can supply and sustain the necessary energy. Create excitement about the ultimate goal rather than treating each step as final success. Reframe negative emotions such as frustration or anxiety as useful signals that progress is occurring. Incorporate play to make practice enjoyable and add a little anxiety or urgency to preserve motivation. Visualizing outcomes and treating steps as part of a larger journey helps maintain focus and effort.

Read at Psychology Today