Top Ten Ways To Create Positive Behavior Change

1. Open your mind to new ideas: Positive behavior change has to start with your thoughts. Get excited about learning new methods, developing new skills and doing things differently. Anything else is "text-book insanity" ? that's when you do the same things the same way and expect different results.

2. Embrace change: Change is good. Change means never having to settle. Join the ranks of "change-junkies" who have learned that change provides huge opportunities for health, wealth and happiness.

3. You have a choice of being positive or negative. Choose to be positive in your thoughts. There are so many clich�s and adages like "garbage in, garbage out" or "your altitude is determined by your attitude". But these sayings have staying power because they have been proven true over and over again. If you feel a bout of depression or gloom settling in, just redirect your thoughts by asking yourself good questions like, "how can I turn this into something good" or what can I learn from this?' Your subconscious will go into over-drive to find an answer for you.

4. Define your own terms - This is all about you. This is change that you get to control so the ground rules, conditions and expectations are up to you. It's like eating at Burger King ? you can have it your way.

5. Get the information and resources you need to succeed. With the help of technology we all have the means to attract what we need in a record time. Support groups, books, classes, retailers, whatever it may be ? you can find it all with a push of the button. When you ask the right questions, you get the right answers. Ask for what you need.

6. Take 100% responsibility for your own motivation. Replay this thought over and over again: "If it is to be, it is up to me". You'll build momentum by taking action. If you get stuck, just do something ? and it could be almost anything as long as it is constructive and positive. You'll find that activity promotes enthusiasm that will spur you on.

7. Break it down to manageable steps. An elephant is huge, but anyone could eat one as long as it's done one bite at a time. Take it one step at a time. Start with your ultimate goal in mind and work backwards to create a realist, manageable action plan.

8. Find ten solutions to each problem you face. I truly believe there are solutions to every problem. You'll find as you stay open to new ideas, become more comfortable with change and remain positive in your thoughts, problem solving will become much easier. For each challenge you face, grab a piece of paper and start writing down ideas. Don't prejudge or evaluate your thoughts, just open your mind and let the ideas flow. Don't stop until you have ten. Then you can go back and consider each idea. Some will be ridiculous, and others will need to be modified, but the answer will be there. Remember to use your new skill at breaking things down to take a huge problem and reduce it to a few small issues. (This is the same process I used to create my plan to generate an annual income of $360,000 ? doing it my way!)

9. Evaluate and adjust. Change is all about doing something new and/or different, so expect a learning curve. Be realistic and consider how you can improve to get better results.

10. Don't stop. Michael Jackson has his share of problems, but he knew what he was talking about when he sang, "Don't stop till you get enough!"

Jeannette Kraar, president of Performance Management International is the Breakthrough Career Coach and a highly-acclaimed trainer, speaker and consultant. Hundreds of PMI clients have succeeded even in the most turbulent times. Jeannette is the author of BREAKTHROUGH, The Hate My Job, Need A Life, Can't Get No Satisfaction SOLUTION. Learn more about the book at http://www.breakthroughcareersolutions.com. Email Jeannette at [email protected] or visit her on-line at http://www.breakthroughcareersolutions.com