Changing Ourselves

When are we good enough?

This seems to be a constant issue in many people’s lives including my own. When are we good enough? What are we doing to help ourselves, others, and the world around us? When are we done? Are we ever done? Perhaps not.

It is difficult topic because we don’t have someone whispering in our ear telling us when we have done enough. We start every morning believing that we have time to do all those things that we want to do. At the same time, many of us (meaning me) believe that there will be another day, week, month, or year to do it. Maybe we do. But maybe we don’t. Whether or not we have time is one of those things that we mostly don’t know. But the truth is that it doesn’t matter whether we know when we leave this earth. What matters is spending our time and energy on things that are important to us. That is where we should be focusing.

Many people spend a majority of time trying to change others. If that is your vocation and you like it then more power to you! However, if you are in a situation where you are trying to change a spouse, a parent, an adult offspring, or a friend this can be a very rewarding use of time if you are successful but, unfortunately, if you are not having success with a person that is unable to change it might be better to move on. We can always support people on their path to get better but we cannot do it for them.We are better off figuring out why we are spending this time on someone else rather than on ourselves.

Often times, we are more successful being a role model for change rather than the person trying to help someone else get started. Change is usually more meaningful if it comes from a person who wants to change. Personal commitment and belief in yourself can be more potent than having a team of coaches helping you work. If a person is truly interested in change they will be the catalyst for themselves and they will feel much better with the change because it came from them. You might find that your best example of change maybe, and often is, yourself.

Start today!