Have a Clear Cause and Effect Relationship

"There are some areas in life where I can set a plan based on a goal and walk in a straight line towards that goal. For example, I decide that I want to lose weight for a friend’s wedding in eight weeks. That is a straight-line goal. I set the goal, make a plan and then stick to it. I decide I want to have a psychology degree. I go to university, study hard and, at some point, pop out with the result. The pathway for both these goals is primarily in my control; there is a clear cause-and effect relationship."

-- Stephen Macdonald

The More Successful Approach

"A more successful approach to changing our lives is to set small, doable, bite-sized, realistic targets and implement specific habits that will take us towards these targets. This will create a momentum that leads you towards your destination. Yes, it may look like it will take longer, BUT it will get you there."

-- Stephen Macdonald

Develop A Humble Learner Mindset

"A humble learner mindset is required to do things differently. Arrogance is the belief and behaviour of those who believe that a different life can be lived by doing the same things that they have always done."

-- Stephen Macdonald

Pragmatic and Ultimately More Successful Goal

"Our brains are hardwired to move towards success and reward, and away from threat and change. When we set those large, sometimes barely achievable goals we set ourselves up to fail from that moment. It is far more pragmatic and ultimately more successful to set small goals and, as we achieve them, set new small goals. Before we know it, that elephant has been eaten and our preferred future awaits us."

-- Stephen Macdonald

Successful Transitions

"Successful transitions occur when we give up beliefs or behaviours that prevent us moving into our preferred future, even if they have served us well to this point.  Successful transitions often require us to challenge assumptions about what we believe about ourselves, life, and what is possible for us."

-- Stephen Macdonald

The Habits You Need Right Now

"The journey to your preferred destination is best thought of in the same way. What are the steps you need to take? What is a short-term and specific goal you could set yourself to move towards your preferred journey? These are not the necessarily the same habits you will have in a few months’ time as you get closer to your goal; they are the habits you need right now that will get your journey underway."

-- Stephen Macdonald

Life Choices and Trade-Off

"Life is always about choices and trade-offs. Successful transitions are about making these choices in alignment with our identity and where we would like to be headed." 

-- Stephen Macdonald

The Development of Habits

"Habits are a bit like training a new puppy. They require lots of reinforcement and checking that you are on the right track. If left unattended, new habits can simply disappear (or you can develop unwanted ones!). The new habits require that you check in with them regularly to make sure you are putting them into play (just like you need to check in regularly with the new puppy to make sure it is doing what you are training it to do)."

-- Stephen Macdonald

Habit of Asking Questions

"Get into the habit of asking questions where you don’t already know the answers. Questions asked with the intent of truly understanding, rather than to look for answers that confirm our position."

-- Stephen Macdonald

Why You Need To Know Clearly What You Want

"Knowing what we want out of life is important. It provides us with a focus. It enables us to start moving in a consistent direction, rather than being like a bird flitting here and there."

-- Stephen Macdonald