How often have you read a self-help book, listened to a great speech or attended a powerful seminar only to fall back into old habits within a short time? It happens to most of us.

The challenge in personal development is not a shortage of ideas. It is how to make those ideas stick; to actually incorporate them into your life so they make a difference. So, I want to issue you a challenge when you read or listen to our products. Take them beyond ideas and put them into action. Here’s how.

1. Zero in on a principle or idea that makes sense to you; something you know would truly make a difference if you fully integrated this idea into your life. (For example, “I want to make the ‘hero’s choice’ rather than blame when in a key moment.”)
2. Describe all the consequences of not making this change. What is it costing you? Ponder this deeply and write down all ideas that come to your mind.
3. Describe your life if you fully lived this principle or idea. What would be the consequences? What rewards would you gain?
4. What payoffs (secondary rewards) would you have to give up to make this change? List all you can think of.
5. What is the price tag associated with making the change? What will it cost you? (There’s no such thing as a free lunch.)
6. What new choices would you need to make? What would you need to do, what action would you need to take? Write this down.
7. After pondering deeply, is it still important to make this change in your life?
8. If so, then take action on it right now. This minute. Don’t wait until the time is right. What can you do NOW to make this a reality? Take this action.
9. Keep acting on this change for the next 30-Days. Don’t think in terms of the rest of your life. Make the change for the next month and then revisit your decision to see if it’s something you want to continue.

It is not easy to change our patterns of thought, emotion, and behavior. But it starts with getting out of thinking and into action. You have to do something to make it real. By focusing on one change and walking through these steps, you’ll take more command of your personal growth than by filling your mind with more good ideas.

Roger K. Allen, Ph.D. is an expert in personal transformation, leadership, and teams. His tools and methods have helped hundreds of businesses and tens of thousands of people transform the ways they work and live. To learn more, visit www.rogerkallen.com.