How to Implement Change in 2017: Tips from a Licensed Therapist
- Najwa Awad
- Jun 24, 2018
- 2 min read
It is almost 2017 and that means social media and the internet are full of those New Year’s resolution posts, videos, and articles on how you should best prepare for the new year. Some of them are good, but a lot are lacking and offer little more than a short-term boost with no long-term benefits.
As a mental health therapist, a big part of my job is helping clients identify their problem areas and assisting them in making long-term changes for a better future. Below are some of tried and true tips from my clinical experience in helping others on how to best prepare your 2017 resolutions.
At a Glance
How to implement positive changes in life
Implementing positive change requires clarity and intention. Focus on one key area and take consistent steps to drive progress. Align your actions with your values to create sustainable change. Pairing intention with effort makes change feel purposeful, not forced, and easier to maintain. From a psychospiritual perspective, consistent effort and clear intention lead to lasting transformation.
What are the simple steps to change habits successfully?
Habits change when we keep things simple and repeat actions. Start with a small action and add it to your daily routine. Repeat it consistently. Research proves that habits form through a cycle of cue, routine, and reward, where repetition makes behavior automatic. Simple and consistent actions stick long-term.
Why is it hard to maintain consistency in change?
Consistency demands sustained effort to deliver results. Change requires conscious energy and discipline as your brain learns new behavior. People give up in the early stages because progress is slow. Research proves that habit strength builds through repetition, driving gradual transformation. Patience is key, not perfection.
How to stay motivated while making life changes
Motivation is something you build, not rely on. Create systems that drive action even when motivation is low. Set realistic expectations, track small wins, and connect your goals to a deeper purpose. Revisit your intention and seek barakah to sustain motivation beyond temporary emotional highs.
What are therapist-approved behavior change techniques?
Therapists use evidence-based techniques that focus on structure and awareness. These techniques include
Breaking goals into small, achievable steps
Identifying triggers and patterns
Replacing behaviors
Using accountability and reflection
These methods fit with behavioral science. They focus on consistency, environmental cues, and gradual progress to create lasting change
How to break bad habits effectively
Breaking a bad habit starts with understanding what drives it. Every habit has a purpose, such as emotional regulation, comfort, or avoidance. We replace the behavior with a healthier alternative by identifying the underlying need. Habits are deeply tied to cues and rewards, so we change the response while keeping the cue consistent, making the process more effective.
How long does it take to build new habits?
Habits do not form on a fixed timeline. The "21-day rule" is a myth. Research proves that habits take around 2 months to become instinctual. The time frame varies greatly from person to person and behavior to behavior. Consistency is key, not speed. Repeated action over time drives lasting change.
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