By: Alex Gordon, M.A.
Change takes time. I could really end this post right here, but I will elaborate. Society never stops reminding us that we need to accomplish our goals quickly. This could be a simple goal such as getting dinner (fast food) or driving to a destination (in the express lane) or a more meaningful goal such as establishing significant relationships with others (speed dating).
However, when making important changes in our lives, especially those related to our emotional well-being, it is important to remember that “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” In fact, it was a slow, effortful, and consistent task. For example, if an individual experiences intense discomfort speaking in public, that is not just going to disappear in one day. It requires an investment of effort and time to identify, challenge, and replace irrational beliefs. It would require a great deal of courage and preparation for this individual to challenge the self to perform publicly, all while practicing a newfound perspective. You might consider allowing yourself time to adjust your mentality and not be lured into society’s instant gratification tactics.
This leads to a related idea, captured well by another idiom: “Don’t bite off more than you can chew.” If one is set on achieving immediate change, this is another trap. You may think to yourself, “If I increase productivity I’ll reach my goal faster, and so I will set out to do more.” Therein lies the trap. If your home is in desperate need of spring cleaning and spring is still three seasons away, it will likely not be resolved overnight (unless you are exaggerating the degree of clutter). Again, it takes time, effort, and consistency, and a small dose of reality. Don’t expect yourself to put everything away at once; set small, achievable goals that you can execute over a period of time to accomplish your overall agenda.
In order to effect positive change, invest the time and effort, and be realistic with goal-setting. You will thank yourself for it.
