One thing I have learned about studying behavioral change for decades is that change is NOT simple or easy.
If change was as simple as making a resolution and sticking to it, I’d be out of a job (both as a therapist and a trainer of Motivational Interviewing!).
Chances are you would be out of a job too!
Change occurs when there is a confluence between readiness and confidence.
Think about it. You have to have both a desire to change, AND feel like you have more than a snowball’s-chance-in-a-Florida-summer to accomplish it. What factors increase readiness and confidence to change?
The answer to that question is as unique as each individual who faces it. Motivational Interviewing teaches us to be curious about these questions, and listen to the answers from our clients rather than persuade.
Change occurs best when there are factors around us that support that change.
Again, the answer to this lies within our clients. What will best support change? Remember, our clients have amazing strength and resilience within them. Look for it. Shine a light on it.
And we are more likely to MAINTAIN change when we have a very specific plan that we have voiced to others (accountability helps y’all!).
Motivational Interviewing Tip of the Week: Among all the fad of New Year’s Resolutions, I invite you to take a moment to consider if now is the time to tackle change for yourself. Sometimes, the simple invitation to remember YOU DON’T HAVE TO CHANGE loosens our relationship to change. Either we recognize now is not the time and we can let it go, or we realize we do in fact want to make a change. The same goes for our clients!
If you are assessing the need for change yourself, I made a series of downloads for you that move beyond your typical New Year’s Resolution. Here’s the link to the downloads. And, a video explaining how to move through them.
Let me know how it goes!
