“Slip,Slidin’ Away”*

We often speak of wanting our lives to change or for changes to be made.  We often struggle to get there, then give up, and then we have the same conversation with ourselves.  That is simply because in order for our lives to change, we actually have to be willing to make changes and then make those changes.

There isn’t a magic potion and we can’t expect instant success.  Learning and developing a new habit takes time and regular practice through use.  The longer we have been living a certain way, the longer any change takes.

Like an athlete who hires a new coach.  The new coach wants the athlete to change a fundamental part of their game, in order to improve their game.  First, the athlete unlearns the old/bad habit while learning the new/good habit.  He does this through practice and repetition , practice and repetition , and more practice and repetition……

An athlete also learns that the power is in the follow through.  If you visualize or perform a tennis stroke, golf swing, batting, shooting a basket, throwing a ball, throwing a punch, a pedal stroke, you know that the power in those athletic actions comes from the follow through.  So to it is with your dreams and goals.  Your power lies in your follow through.

Without the continual practice, repetition, and follow through, whatever progress you’ve made will be “slip, sliding, away”*

“People who believe they have the power to exercise some measure of control over their lives are healthier, more effective and more successful than those who lack faith in their ability to effect changes in their lives.” – Albert Bandura, Phd.

“They say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.” – Andy Warhol

So if you really want change it’s…… “Slowly I turn…step by step…inch by inch…**

Remember, however “slowly”, each step forward is progress.  Each step forward is a step closer.  The instant gratification you would like to have is found in the steady and incremental progress.  Congratulate yourself with each step forward.

Be Good Do Good Think Good

This is also an updated version of one of the Spinning Rabbi’s greatest hits

* Paul Simon

** Famous comedy routine most associated with Abbott and Costello, The Three Stooges