Changing of seasons is an awesome space for reflection for the nurse: whether you are a holistic nurse, Reiki Nurse, Nurse Coach, or nurse entrepreneur… or better yet, like me, fall somewhere in between. The landscape of healthcare, which is one major environment for the nursing profession, is ever-changing.

But whether you work at hospital or at home, whether you experience autumn where you live or not, whether you’re more experienced or a new graduate nurse- we all go through changes.

I’d like to share a simple example of how making a change doesn’t have to be as hard as it seems.

Last month we embarked on the September Support Self-Change Challenge. Myself and five other nurses (that I know of) participated. One of the changes I was particularly interested in making was with respect to me and television.

In August I tried (and failed) to give up TV. In September (besides one incident at a Sushi-Bar), I was successful. What was different? What helped? How come I tried again?

Have you ever tried to change something and it didn’t work? Maybe you had the best intentions, you signed up for a course, and then you couldn’t follow through. Or maybe, just maybe, you got bored with the change and actually gave it up… for no reason at all.

How come we don’t change or can’t change or won’t change? Is it a matter of will-power? Is it mind-over-matter? Is it just luck?

Here are 3 simple suggestions to actually sustaining lasting change (that you might not have thought of before):

• Do one thing at a time! Have you ever had something happen to you and you suddenly found yourself exclaiming, “That’s it! I’m doing a major overhaul! I’m changing everything…” What likely happens when you take this approach is you find yourself in overwhelm. Or worse yet, subconsciously you sabotauge yourself. You see our ego doesn’t like a lot of change. It likes things comfortable, safe, and easy. Try to change too much at once and you’re on the path to disappointment.
• Do what you enjoy! If you follow my work at all you’re used to my advice on FUN. One of my favorite quotes is: “If it’s not fun; it ain’t gonna get done” (Richard Simmons). Making a change because you have to or you should? Totally won’t happen. Make a change because you want to and when you decide on what that change is do something that’s enjoyable for you.
• Do it for You! Last night in the final call of my group coaching course, I shared with the participants a secret weapon. You have to own your health/well-being/life. It’s no one else’s responsibility but yours to take care of you. And guess what? No one will do it for you. So if you’re making a change for someone else or because another person wants you to; you’re looking for failure.

What changes do you want to make this fall? I’d love to hear some of your ideas, choices, and decisions below. Putting something down on paper makes it much more likely to happen. You’ve created an energy of accountability: to yourself!

A venue where I’m sure people will be making changes in leaps and bounds (and supporting each other through them) is at the upcoming virtual retreat. The theme is ‘Get Out of Your Own Way!’ and my specific talk will speak to lasting, sustainable change. For more details and to join us see the conference page here.

And if the group thing’s not for you (or you just can’t wait until October 21), here’s a webinar that’s coming up which will touch on change. Career Change. Visit this page for more information on how to Breathe New Life Into Your Work.