4 Steps To Taking Control Of Your Life
Have you ever been in a phase of life where you felt you had absolutely no control over anything? I think this happens to everyone at least once in their lifetime. Sometimes, you feel so lost that nothing makes sense anymore. And the utter lack of control serves as a constant source of stress. This is a very precarious situation to find yourself in and it can lead to some really dark places.
Therefore, it is vital that you take back control of your life. I know, it might sound impossible when you are in that bad phase. But if you can muster up a little bit of courage, hope, and determination, it is not only possible to gain back control, but it is also possible to achieve all your dreams! In that spirit, let's take a look at the four steps to taking back control of your life.
1 | Make A Decision
Sometimes, you just have to make a concrete decision to initiate the process of change. Otherwise, it is easy to keep repeating the same patterns over and over again. If you want to take control, declare that you are going to do so. Make a mental statement to yourself, tell it to your friends and family, write it down in your diary, and do whatever else you need to do to make it as tangible as possible.
2 | Make A Plan
I can't tell you how important plans are if you have a goal. They set the direction, help you prepare for obstacles, give you an idea of how long it might take to achieve your goals, and so on. It is said that half of your job is done if you have a well-designed plan of action. More importantly, though, a plan makes you feel like you are in control. Even in the face of an unexpected challenge, you are not shaken. You know that you will be back on track as soon as you deal with the momentary disruption in your plan.
3 | Commit To Your Plan
As I said, a well-designed plan means half of your job is done. But, and this is a big but, the second half of your job is still left. You need an absolute commitment to your journey, your goals, and your plans, to keep going even in the face of uncertainty. To a committed person, there is no such thing as a "lack of control". They are on a mission mode and they only rest when it is accomplished. Such dedication can only lead to one outcome: your success!
4 | Reward Yourself
Do you know when you feel most in control? When you realize that you are completing smaller milestones that will ultimately lead you to your bigger goal. And what is the best way to realize the completion of these smaller milestones? Well, it's by rewarding yourself. The reward could be in any form. It could be a well-deserved break, a tasty treat, or anything else that gives you a feeling of celebration.
This way, your brain feels like it is going in the right direction and that the plans are working. It is this that generates a feeling of control. You enter a positive loop where the feeling of being in control gives you even more enthusiasm to take on challenges. And taking on challenges successfully gives you an even greater feeling of control!
To Wrap Up
It is quite normal to enter a phase in life where you might feel lost. During these dark phases, you might feel like you don't have an ounce of control over any aspect of your life. If allowed to persist, this feeling could lead you to really adverse situations. So, the best thing to do is to bring an immediate positive change. Fortunately, there are some great ways to initiate change and do things that help you get back control.
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