[Editor’s Note: “Of Course It’s in My Head” normally appears on Mondays.]

Sometimes the things we need to do build to where they cannot be put off.

It happens when your conscious mind continually thinks about the unattended issues. They begin to cause frustration regarding your ability to get those things done.

Someone once said to me “If you are constantly thinking about something, take care of it. Then it will go away.”

We put off what appears to be too hard and overwhelming. The task remains undone. The thoughts keep returning to the uncompleted task.

Get a move on. Don’t put off what you know must be accomplished today.

I know a couple who soon will be forced to sell their home. Both have lost their jobs. They worry that their small side business may not support their current lifestyle. They knew the business created a good income. If they reduced their overall costs, they could financially survive quite well.

They took the first step. Calling a real estate agent, they wanted to check the value and see if there was any way that they could stay put. The memories they had made were very strong. Besides, they were reluctant to leave the area.

For two or three weeks, they did nothing but put off the inevitable. When an offer was made on the house, they were ill prepared. They still had not found another place.

They hadn’t even tried. And so they were in shock when they realized the offer was a good one and they could be without a place to live if they accepted the offer. Besides, their meagre finances were evaporating.

After putting the offer on hold, they finally began looking. Soon they realized their pricing expectations were way off for the areas they chose. When they searched for a home in an affordable range, they learned to heir surprise they could purchase a home for half the cost of their current home with twice the square footage.

Was It Really Too Far Away?

The drawback was that the new house was in an outer suburb, 70 miles away. This called for research into time, travel and various expenses. Again they were surprised. They could have a much better lifestyle at a significantly reduced cost.

They sold their home, and now they say they never have been happier. They laugh at how they were continually avoiding what had to be done.

Making a change is particularly tough it is forced upon you.

But it is precisely these changes and the way we handle them that define us as the capable people we always knew ourselves to be. Each of us has the ability to analyze our situations, and make any changes that we want to improve our lives. We are capable of shaking off the thoughts that we are not good enough. We can, and we do. Saying can’t is saying you won’t.

It is neither healthy nor constructive. When you realize can’t is won’t, that will create incredible change, and often the impetus.

Let go of the negative images about changing. Form positive images of what you are trying to accomplish. Focus on the goal. All blocks become small obstacles. Break big tasks into smaller ones. With each step, congratulate yourself.

Remember, “A walk of a thousand miles starts with the first step.” A small step, no matter how tiny, is your start.

Making a Habit Go up in Smoke

I knew a smoker who didn’t want to quit. He knew he must. I suggested he continue to smoke his regular number of cigarettes daily but he should pinch a little off the end of each cigarette before he smoked it.

He tried that. Not long afterward, he had quit. By taking the small first step, even though he was still smoking the same number of cigarettes, he was breathing more easily. He also had more energy. By pinching off the end, he had lessened his nicotine intake. By seeing he was able to make this change, he reduced his weekly until he no longer wanted or needed to smoke.

Although resistant to change initially, by making one seemingly miniscule change, he created a huge and successful habit change.

So get to it, stop delaying and make those changes.

A clinical hypnotherapist, handwriting analyst and expert master hypnotist, Nicholas Pollak may be contacted at nickpollak@hypnotherapy4you.net