Want a charge? Change something.

According to research in neuroscience, just the act of thinking differently changes the chemistry in your brain and body. Factor in a little change, and you have the added emotional anticipation of something new and an opportunity for greater fulfillment.

The alternative to change however is complacency – doing the same things over and over because it’s comfortable. Playing it safe is fine when you’re in real danger, however, if your whole life is wrapped up in old habits and predictability – everything staying exactly the same all of the time – you may be letting fear rob you of vitality and the chance to progress.

Some people get mixed up thinking if the anticipation of a little change causes them worry, doubt or fear, then they shouldn’t do anything but maintain the status quo. Quite the opposite, because mental health experts indicate that the more you allow fear to hold you back from living a full and meaningful life, the more it will, and the more you will remain in the exact same situations day after day, week after week.

Take a moment to think about what tomorrow looks like in your life… What does the future look like? Is there room for change? Or are you playing it safe?

Now think about what your life would look like to still have that sense of stability and security but with a little charge and added meaning and fulfillment mixed in…

Some questions to consider are:

Would you feel happy if your life were exactly where it is a year from now?

Are there any changes that you want to make in any area of your life? If so, how would they improve your life? What can you do differently today to start to make that happen?

Change doesn’t have to be monumental to have a positive effect. It can be something as simple as rearranging your furniture around one week, or learning about a new topic that you’ve never explored before the next. You’d be surprised at how inspired or refreshed you feel simple acts like this.

If you want greater change in your life, then do it. Start with your mind. Studies have indicated that when you change your mind, you change your outcomes.

Think about some changes that you’d like to make in your life, write them down today, and start taking small actions in that direction. Even if it’s simply looking up information about that thing you want to do, or talking about it to friends and family…it’s starting the process, which in itself can be exciting.

Change can inspire, teach and help us to grow emotionally, mentally, physiologically, socially and spiritually, but you have to start somewhere and go from there.

Like Eric Roth eloquently sums it up in his screenplay, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, “You can change or stay the same… We can make the best or worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life your proud of. If you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again.”