As a business coach, mastermind leader, and speaker, the core of what I do is lead change. I often hear from my clients and colleagues that they are feeling stuck—not necessarily unhappy, just a bit stale or unmotivated—and they are not sure where to start. My answer is almost always some version of the same thought: different actions are the key to different results.

It’s deceptively simple. So why do so many of us struggle with change? Over the years I’ve read books, watched TED talks, interviewed people, and sought out the answer to this question. Overwhelmingly, the answer is that change is simply uncomfortable. The good news is that most people who have successfully made massive changes report that it was much easier than anticipated, and they wonder why they didn’t make the move sooner.

I’ve compiled my top three tips for driving changes to your actions so that you can begin to see different, more desirable, results.

Channel your Inner Twisted Sister

I might be dating myself here, but do you remember the 80’s classic We’re not Going to Take it by Twisted Sister? It’s a song about being fed up. While being completely fed up is not the most desirable state, it is a great impetus to create change in our lives.

I recently had a moment of being fed up, and it was the motivation I needed to change my behavior to see different results.

For the past six years, I have not been at a healthy weight. I have some health complications that make this difficult for me, but I reached a point where I could not just continue doing the same things I had done in the past.

So I made a plan and put it into action. For the diet, I started making conscious choices and tracking my food intake. As for the exercise, I hired a personal trainer who also is a Muay Thai boxer—they are about as tough as you can get. Before we started, she made it clear to me that she will not train someone who is not 100% committed to results and working hard. I said yes.

I can’t say the workouts are fun, but she constantly moves me out of my comfort zone and turns me into a sweaty mess. Early results are in, and I feel way better, do pushups in commercial breaks, have built muscles that I didn’t know I had, and am down fifteen pounds.

Talk is cheap: if you are pissed off, do something about it. And start today.

Shake it Up!

Your regular habits are creating the results that you are seeing, so you’re going to have to get outside your comfort zone.

Thomas Leonard, a pioneer in the coaching field has done a ton of work on the Nine Environments of You. In short, everything is an environment: your thoughts, the people you spend time with, your health, your home/work space.

Make a decision to change your environment, starting now. Here are a few ways to start:

• Try a new morning routine for 30 days. Incorporate things that move you closer to your goals. Reading, exercise, and meditation are great ways to start your day. Make it a habit for 30 days.
• Want to be healthier? Hang out with people that support that goal. Running groups and local gyms are a great place to start.
  Always wanted to start your own business? Read books like the $100 Start Up, and seek out events for entrepreneurs.
• Think about what changes you want to see in your life, and then question the environment you’ve created around those aspects. Even a simple change can have powerful results.

Involve a Buddy

Most of us are better at keeping our commitments to others than we are at keeping them with ourselves. A scheduled call, lunch meeting, or appointment is a lot easier to attend than an appointment you made with yourself to go to the gym. External accountability makes a big difference—and you can use it to your advantage!

I’ve played team sports all my life, and the desire to not let my teammates down is a big motivator. Leaving my warm house on a cold night to go to the gym alone is very challenging. Leaving the house to play hockey, knowing that my team needs me, is much easier.

To get started, pick a goal, and then pick a friend to help keep you on track for that goal (this works best if you do the same for them).

I get it. Change is challenging and intimidating. These three strategies should help you break the change down into actionable steps that you can try today! Remember that your current behaviors are getting you the results you’re seeing—to see a change you will have to make a change.

The good news is that even a small change can yield massive results. So what are you waiting for?

Nothing destroys your health and happiness quite like being comfortable.

I’m talking about being in a career that is slowing eating away at you. Sunday night’s are the worst and you ask “how can I get through another week of this crap?”

The career is not the work you dreamt of, it might have brought you meaning at one time, but not anymore. Is this how you want to feel for the rest of your life?

Comfortably Numb?

I get it, you “need” the job, you have “bills” to pay, yada, yada, yada.

We all do.

I am not asking you to quit today, but if you are serious about living the life you want, YOU need to make a decision, and NOW.

If you don’t decide, someone else will (like your boss or the shareholders).

Two steps to get you started:

1) Decide on what you want in all areas of your life, you can’t hit a target you don’t define.

2) Share your dream vision (answer to number 1), with at least two people everyday for the next month. Ask for their advice on how to make it happen.

Life is a team sport.

Or continue to live your comfortably numb life, it’s your choice.

Shawn Shepheard is on a mission to support people in escaping the dreaded “day in day out” and bring back your excitement, energy and passion.

I get home yesterday and saw that I have a letter from the bank.

The same bank that I have had my mortgage with for 14.5 years.

Maybe it’s a “thanks for being a loyal customer” letter.

The letter start with: “Dear Client”

Really????

Your mortgage renewal is coming up and we would love to talk about options about renewing.

OK, so I don’t even want to tell you how MUCH money they have made off of us. Not once, have they said thanks, maybe sent me a Tim’s card, something.

On the other hand, I speak at an annual conference for small business owners, and when I return home there is a customized thank you gift waiting for me, just to say thanks.

Can you say thanks? Is it too much trouble to type in my name?

Brutal, if I ran my business like that I would be bankrupt.

And no, I won’t be renewing.

What is the one thing YOU would love to see companies do MORE of?

Shawn Shepheard is a business strategist, coach and speaker who is on a mission to wake up sleeping companies from their slumber.

Please stop the madness of wasting time in a sea of endless, time wasting meetings.

I know there are people that are professional’s at attending meetings.

Less talk, more action.

If there are no clear objective, agenda, time limit and action plan…….Cancel it and get back to what needs to be done.

Who Is Shawn Shepheard?

Want a no “BS”​ action plan to inspire your team to get results they never thought were possible?

Need a speaker whose words are heard and felt long after the talk?

Whatever your needs, I am here to make things happen…with a smile.

Sorry not interested in working with those who are comfortable with mediocre results. #sorrynotsorry

Find out more at www.shawnshepheard.com

I hear it all the time.

“I am so busy, I don’t have anytime.”

How much time did you spend reading email today?

What percentage of those emails were necessary?

If you are on too many lists, being cc’d for no reason, please, please, please ask too be removed.

And don’t even get me started on the biggest time waster, the “Reply All” button.

Find out more about Shawn at www.shawnshepheard.com

I hear it all the time.

I’m too busy, I’m overwhelmed at work, I don’t have time to think ahead.

I call BS.

One thing for certain, if you don’t address this excuse it will continue to haunt you.

If an emergency came out, you would find the time.

Here is a quick exercise to help you get rid of your busyness excuse:

1) What are you outcomes/goals?

2) Take 60 seconds to list everything you do during your day.

3) Go through your list, and highlight only the top 20% that move you closer to your goal.

4) Delegate or eliminate the rest.