Can I ask you something?

Have you ever found yourself saying you want something different, but when you take an honest look at your behavior, you’re doing the same things you've always done?

We say we want to lose weight, but we keep eating the same food.

We say we want to build wealth, but our spending habits haven't changed.

We say we want more freedom, more fulfillment, or a different kind of life, but we keep making the same choices, having the same conversations, and filling our days with the same activities.

And then we are frustrated that nothing is changing.

There's an old saying about doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

We've all heard it. And there's some truth worth considering in it.

If we want a different outcome, something about what we're doing MUST change.

But here's where I think the conversation gets interesting.

Changing what we do isn't always as simple as deciding to do something different.

Our actions are influenced by what we believe, what we expect, what we're accustomed to, and what we surround ourselves with.

Think about it.

If you've spent years believing that being a good mother, wife, daughter, or professional means always being available, making time for yourself may feel selfish.

If everyone in your circle is comfortable with the life you're living, imagining something different may feel lonely or even threatening.

If your days are filled from morning until night, when do you have the space to encounter a new idea, explore a possibility, or even hear yourself think?

And if you're already exhausted, the thought of making another change may feel like one more thing you don't have the energy to do.

That's why I don't believe meaningful change begins and ends with a better to-do list.

Sometimes we need to examine the beliefs behind our decisions. Sometimes we need new conversations, different environments, or exposure to possibilities we haven't considered. Sometimes we need a strategy. And sometimes we need to restore our capacity before we're ready to take the next step.

I've experienced what it's like to realize that the life you're living isn't quite the life you want to keep living. And I've learned that recognizing the need for change is only part of the work.

The next question is: What needs to be different for something different to become possible?

That's some of the work we do in the Dream Accelerator.

We begin by getting clear about what you actually want in this season of your life. Then we look at what's standing between you and that vision, develop a strategy for moving forward, and create the systems and support necessary to help you follow through.

You have worked hard and made huge sacrifices along the way. You deserve more than a dream that never makes it beyond your imagination.

So, here's what I'd love for you to ponder this week:

What is one thing you say you want to change that your current habits, commitments, or environment aren't supporting?

It’s unrealistic to expect everything to be different overnight. But a great first step is getting honest with yourself about the actions you are or are not taking.

You only get one life. Start living like the priority that you are.