What Did You Do With Jill?Jill Whalen's healthy lifestyle transformation                                               

[Jill’s Note: If you prefer to listen rather than read, please scroll to the bottom of this post for the audio version.]

As you may have guessed from the name of my blog (What Did You Do With Jill?) I have changed. A lot. At this point (over 3 years into my personal transformation) I barely remember the old me. Still, every now and then I will think or say something about myself that isn’t really true anymore. Old habits die hard, I guess.

Or do they?

You see, all of us create labels and build up images in our heads about who we think we are. “I’m a coach,” “I’m shy,” “I always procrastinate,” “I don’t like sports,” etc. We even tell ourselves that we’ve always been this way.

Maybe we have and maybe we haven’t.

But the truth of the matter is:

We don’t have to continue to be who we always thought we were.

No matter how long or how embedded in our psyche our self image seems, in reality, it is ever-changing.

I’m certainly living proof of this. I’m only a shadow of my former self. Sure I’ve got the same name and same family and even the same house, but that’s where the similarities end. And because I’ve clearly seen that abso-fricken-lutely NOTHING about myself has to remain the same as it was at any point in my life, I can also see the endless possibilities of transformation for ANYONE and EVERYONE.

Including you! (Yes you!)

There is no doubt in my mind that anyone can change anything they want about themselves. Whether it’s a bad habit, a mental image that no longer serves them or their physical appearance, it’s all changeable. (Note: I’m not suggesting here that people who have specific physical conditions or illnesses can necessarily be “cured.” While to a certain extent this may be true, that’s not the focus of this post.)

Out of my Knowing that what we think we are is only a temporary label we’ve created for ourselves, I’ve put together 15 steps towards creating a new you. These steps are not a formula, however, they are more of an understanding. After all, if there were an easy formula for personal transformation, then everyone would be purposefully transforming themselves all the time.

What I learned from my own transformation is that the key to success is found within our own mind. In other words, all we really need is the desire to truly want to change and the realization that it is possible. Then it’s simply a matter of finding, following and continuing on a path that makes it happen for us.

Are you ready to create a new you?

If you answered yes, read through the following 15 steps, take them to heart and then get the hell out of your own way!

1. Know with all your heart and soul that your life is in fact changeable, even though it may feel fixed.
2. Learn that a belief is just a thought you keep thinking–it’s not the Truth.
3. Understand that even our beliefs about ourselves are are also made up of thought and not The Truth. For example, “I’m not a morning person,” “I don’t like country music,” “I’m shy,” etc.
4. Want to change. Until you really want to make a change–deep down in your soul–it will never happen. But if you want change for real it can’t help but happen. As long as you…
5. Make a real decision to change. If your decision is real, nothing can stop you.
6. Take baby steps towards the change. You can’t hike from the bottom of the mountain to the top in a flash. You’ve got to put one foot in front of the other and just keep on going. (You may also have to take shorter hikes before attempting the whole mountain!)
7. Experiment with one easy thing to change at first. This can show yourself that it’s doable and that your beliefs about yourself aren’t fixed.
8. Choose something that you’ve wanted to change for awhile so that you will be inspired and it won’t feel like work. The only way to have lasting change is if it’s effortless.
9. Tell others close to you in order to make it real and give yourself some accountability.
10. Ignore the self talk that will keep trying to convince you of your old persona. It too, is just thought and has no meaning unless you give it some.
11. Mess up, but don’t give up! Just because you ate unhealthy food, didn’t go to the gym, gossiped with friends, etc. doesn’t mean that you’re a failure and you’re done. In fact, it doesn’t mean anything other than that’s what you did or didn’t do that day.
12. Get right back up on the horse. When you slip back into an old pattern (and you will) simply notice it, laugh and start again.
13. Don’t buy into others’ old perceptions of you. It will take them a long time to notice that you’ve changed and that you mean it this time. Especially if you’ve tried and failed before.
14. See yourself in your mind’s eye as the new you. Don’t be afraid to say it to others, “I exercise every day,” “I’m an early riser,” etc.
15. See the old aspect of you as dead and gone and no longer who you are or a part of your life. It’s often helpful to say things like, “That was the old me” if it comes up in conversation with others or even in your own head.

Congratulations, you did it!

For me, one of the best parts of transforming myself was in seeing the limitless possibilities. To know–really Know–that I can be and do anything I want. And all I really have to do is decide upon it.  All the other steps fall into place once my initial decision is made.

How cool is that?

–Jill

P.S. Please feel free to leave your own transformational stories below. While I’m also happy to help anyone looking to create their own transformation, as you can see from this post, it’s really your decision that matters most! Feel free to contact me if/when you’re really ready. 🙂

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Jill Whalen

CONTACT JILL WHALEN to learn how she may help you be the best you can be.

Jill is the author of Victim of Thought: Seeing Through the Illusion of Anxiety

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For the past 20 years, Jill has consulted with companies big and small, and spoken at conferences all over the world. She is currently a transformational speaker and mentor to businesses, individuals, coaches, leaders, groups and organizations. She helps them uncover their natural well-being and happiness so that they can operate from a clearer state of mind and take their lives and businesses to a higher level.

Jill's blog, What Did You Do With Jill? is a personal account of what she's learned throughout her transformational journey. Jill has many "viral" articles on LinkedIn and is a contributing writer for P.S. I Love You.

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