Making changes in your life is never an easy thing to do, especially if it entails incorporating new habits into your already well worn routine. When you decide that it’s time to make that change and you begin to transition, be it that you want to become a vegetarian or a gym bunny, you want to learn a new language or you decide to go natural. There are things that you can do to help you reach your goal, here are a few suggestions.

1. Do it for the right reasons

When you decide to make that change, it has to come from within. It has to be something you want to do for yourself, not because you have been bullied into it, not because everyone thinks you should do it, but because you feel this is a step in the right direction for you and you are ready for it. When you have a goal that is personal to you, it is much easier to stay motivated to achieve it and you cannot feel passionate about something that was forced onto you. If you feel that you are not ready, maybe all you need is to wait a little. Maybe you need to find the angle by which you can approach it that will make it relevant to you. Maybe it’s simply not for you at all. It will take some introspection to figure it out but once you feel that you are ready, go for it.

2. Do your research

Do not dive headlong into change without knowing what you are getting yourself into, however. We live in the era of instant knowledge where absolutely anything is just an internet search away so make use of this wonderful tool that is the web to look up as much information as you can about that new thing you decided you want to do. Find out about the diverse aspects of it, if there are various schools of thought or if everyone is united under the same banner. Learn the lingo, become a bit of an expert in the topic. First of all because you really need to know what it is and what it means but also because you might get some questions about it from the people around you so you want to be prepared to show that you know what you are doing and you have not made a hasty decision that you would quickly regret. Depending on what it is you want to change, people might have reservations about your decisions, especially the people closest to you, so you need to be able to reassure them that all is still right with the world.

3. Find a buddy

There is an African saying that goes ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’ Find a buddy or two. Look for communities of like-minded people in your area or online and get to know people who share the same interests as you. It will not only give you someone else’s perspective on the matter but you can help each other, motivate each other, comfort each other and, more importantly, keep you accountable to each other. Having a community to keep you in check is important if you feel that you might not be strong enough to keep the distance. And if you find that your buddy doesn’t help you or if they fall off the wagon, find a new one!

4. Do not fall for fads

Be very cautious of anything that just comes up out of seemingly nowhere, makes bold claims of fast, durable results and has everybody buzzing all at once. There is always a new fad, a new technique, a new product that is supposed to give you what you are after in half the time and effort as the traditional method. These claims are usually false and these fads are usually after your money, not your success. Sadly, in life, anything that is hard to obtain is also hard to maintain and most things that are good for you, in life, are also hard to do. Don’t go looking for a quick fix. If there is an easy way to do anything, we most likely already know about it and we are probably already doing it. You are transitioning to a better version of yourself and it will not happen in the blink of an eye but when it does happen you will be able to look back and be proud of yourself.

5. Be wary of social media

You must have heard it a lot, lately. Social media is not real. It is packaged as such but every time you see a person who is famous, or even just internet famous, raving about this new thing that has changed their life and that you absolutely need to try, you should always take it with a pinch of salt. It is 99% sure they got compensated for this contribution and 90% sure they wouldn’t have bothered mentioning it unless they got paid. That doesn’t mean you need to stay away from anything you see on social media, of course. But do keep a critical eye in these and only view them for what they really are: advertising.

6. Document your journey

Keep a log, take pictures, have an online blog if you feel like. Who knows, you might end up getting paid to talk about something, some day. But seriously, document the changes you are going through. First of all, for yourself, so you can see the changes you are making happen and pat yourself on the back when you deserve it. And also for anyone watching you who may have thought about doing the same. You never know who you could inspire to make that same change, too.

7. Be a positive ambassador

You need to be an advocate for your cause but not by bashing the people who don’t do as you do. Talk positively about both sides of the coin. Well, at least, if you cannot be positive, do your best to be neutral. Show some empathy to those who haven’t ‘seen the light’ yet. Remember when that was you? Do you think you would have liked it if someone tried to terrorize you into changing your ways? Show them that you understand where they are coming from but also why you have made the decisions that you made. Do not attempt to antagonize them or jump at every opportunity to have an argument with them. You don’t want to become ‘that annoying friend nobody really wants around because they’ve become obsessed with this new thing and very intolerant of everything else’. Some battles simply don’t need to be fought. When they see you as a positive ambassador, they may become enclined to follow in your footsteps and they might need a mentor when the day comes. When that happens, you will be ready to show them the way. “