The first step toward change is awareness. If you want to get from where you are to where you want to be, you have to start by becoming aware of the choices that lead you away from your desired destination.

Identify and work to understand the situation. 2. Describe the situation objectively and accurately. 3. Express concerns. 4. Ask the other person for his/her perspective and work toward an acceptable change. 5. List the benefits that will follow when the change is implemented.

Step 1: Write this phrase on a small piece of paper: I change best by feeling good, not by feeling bad.

1. Watch — What’s happening? What’s working and what’s not? 2. Ideate — What could you improve? What are your options? 3. Guess — Based on what you’ve learned so far, which of your ideas do you think will make the biggest impact? 4. Which? — Decide which change to make. 5. Act — Actually make the change. 6. Measure — What happened? Was the change positive or negative? Should you keep the change, or go back to how things were before this iteration? Iteration is a cycle —

Well, if you can go back to the very beginning and change anything about how you went through it, what would you do differently?”

Right this moment: Pick an area of your life where you most want to be successful. Do you want more money in the bank? A trimmer waistline? The strength to compete in an Iron Man event? A better relationship with your spouse or kids? Picture where you are in that area, right now. Now picture where you want to be: richer, thinner, happier, you name it. The first step toward change is awareness. If you want to get from where you are to where you want to be, you have to start by becoming aware of the choices that lead you away from your desired destination.

First ask yourself: What is the worst that can happen? Then prepare to accept it. Then proceed to improve on the worst.

SIX STEPS TO BETTER DECISION-MAKING Step 1 — Identify the reasonable set of possible outcomes. Step 2 — Identify your preference using the payoff for each outcome — to what degree do you like or dislike each outcome, given your values? Step 3 — Estimate the likelihood of each outcome unfolding. Step 4 — Assess the relative likelihood of outcomes you like and dislike for the option under consideration. Step 5 — Repeat Steps 1–4 for other options under consideration. Step 6 — Compare the options to one another.

A 5-step process for nearly anything:

1) Explore widely. Find out what is possible.
2) Test cheaply. Run small, quick experiments. Sample things.
3) Edit ruthlessly. Focus on the best. Cut everything else.
4) Repeat what works. Don't quit on a good idea.
5) Return to 1.

1. Ask yourself, “What is the worst that can possibly happen?” 2. Prepare to accept it if you have to. 3. Then calmly proceed to improve on the worst.

You must recognize what you are about to do, highlight what you do not like about it, and spend time visualizing each and every obstacle you can.

remember that the moment you reduce the statement of your desire, and a plan for its realization, to writing, you have actually taken the first of a series of steps, which will enable you to convert the thought into its physical counterpart.

Write this phrase on a small piece of paper: I change best by feeling good, not by feeling bad. Step 2: Tape the paper to your bathroom mirror or anywhere you will frequently see it. Step 3: Read the phrase often.

The Process:

1. Decide what you want to achieve.
2. Try different ways of achieving it until you find one that works for you.
3. Do more of what works. Do less of what doesn't.
4. Don't stop doing it until it stops working.
5. Repeat.

It is both this simple and this hard.