Don't Just Paint Over the Rusty Parts of Life. Fix Them.

Have you ever had one of those home improvement projects that you just wanted to be done with? But, in order to do get the job done right, you had to carefully, slowly even strip away the broken, messy parts?  Maybe you had to cut away rotting wood or rusty material in order to achieve the new, refurbished item or look., for example

Our daily lives often work in a similar way. If we try to simply "paint" over the rusty parts or rotting wood, the change is only temporary. It will not last. And often, layering on temporary bandaids can trigger even more issues.

Consider the improvements you want to make in your life, big or small. And ask yourself: What are the rusting or rotting underlying issues that create problems? Are the parts that cause you to fail parts that you can begin to fix?

For example, if it is education, what are the issues that hold you back? Money? Time? Family support? 

Or, if it is your health? What seems to be the root cause? Exercise? The food you keep in your pantry? Friends that do not share the same values as you?

Here are some ideas on how to get started with change-making actions:

1) Start with identifying the parts you want to change as well as how you want to change them.

2) Identify the practices or realities that will likely slow you down or derail you. 

3) Seek out solutions to remove these challenges. And, find people who care about you and discuss potential solutions with them

4) Maintain perseverance and patience along the change-making process.

Fixing the underlying rust can create lasting, positive change to benefit yourself and others. This process all begins with you taking the time to think about you - your practices and your goals. Call a friend or trusted partner and look for the underlying rust that you can change and in turn, achieve your goals in life.