***”If you don't like something, change it!”***

I suppose that's a truism many of us have heard over the years. And I wouldn't be too surprised if some of us have responded with words along the lines of *”Yeah, that's easier said than done!”*

And whereas that's not really a good *excuse,* it is nonetheless a pretty valid statement. The reason being that instituting and maintaining *real change* is actually exceptionally difficult.


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## *28 Days? Hah!*

I once read an article in a psychology magazine which pointed out that it generally takes human beings about 28 times to change a habit. They offered up as an example that it would likely take a right handed man 28 days to learn to shave with his left hand. Being the curious at a person that I am, I of course went home and tried that very experiment… and discovered that it took me closer to *six weeks* (42 days) to be comfortable shaving with my left hand.

But that's only really *part* of the story, because as soon as the experiment was over I went straight back to shaving with my *right* hand because it just felt more natural.

And therein lies the problem we nearly *all* face when it comes to making major changes in our lives.


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## *So what does this have to do with anything?*

Well, the point I'm trying to make here, is it it's one thing to *change* something but it's quite another to *maintain* that change, as a permanent part of your behavior patterns.

Consider how many people you might know who got started on a diet and exercise program with the purpose of losing a certain amount of weight. And, in fact, they managed to *stick* to their program and lose the specified weight. *BUT*, once that was achieved they gradually slipped back into their old ways of eating less healthy foods and being more sedentary.

It's actually something that happens a *lot* to people who have been single for a while and decide they need to *"buff up"* in order to start dating and find a new partner... but soon enough (once partnered) they'll go back to being blobs on the couch again.


![0264-PinkCornflower.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/denmarkguy/23vsZBpnPadkGGRmWFcJsiC2M2y2FPCkVKBECz4hLJFGGEvtm4zoeDhJRYXuAN5ZUrj2y.JPG)


## *Change Comes From Within?*

Perhaps with the exception of being told something like *"Unless you eat healthy and get some exercise you'll be DEAD in a few months!"* the old saying *"change comes from within"* definitely *does* hold true.

Most *external* reasons to change something, be it lifestyle, behavior or something else are generally insufficient to induce someone to *maintain change.* And that goes right down to changing *because you love someone.* That *"looks convincing"* on the surface, but unless that person you love so much shows *continuous and ongoing appreciation,* chances are it won't last. And even then, there's still no guarantee.

Consider how often things like *"anger management,"* quitting smoking and learning to tidy up after yourself don't tend to last.


![0284-WhiteLilac.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/denmarkguy/23xKrV3iFY8Wrxex9jjfTrQ5KVubEXvLaUoEh5amxvG8YW2wJShzrsV1XteunSAS35hih.JPG)

Sure, you're all *hot to trot* about making your house *perfect* and you create something that looks like it could be in a design magazine... but after a few months comes the first occasion where you do *not* stack the magazines perfectly at the end of the day... and it's *all downhill* from there.

For change to be *lasting*, we really have to want it *for ourselves.* And we have to want it *with conviction.* And that's not easy to come by... because so often we make changes because we feel we *"should"* and not because we *authentically WANT to.*

Thanks for reading, and have a great remainder of your weekend!

***How about YOU? Have you ever made a "major change" in your life? Was it difficult? Did it last? Comments, feedback and other interaction is invited and welcomed! Because — after all — SOCIAL content is about interacting, right? Leave a comment — share your experiences — be part of the conversation!***

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