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Change is hard. Because change requires you to re-wire your brain. Last week I had the opportunity to listen to a keynote by Darren Hardy (author of the Compound Effect). He talked a bit about neuro-plasicity and the work required for the brain to change – especially when it comes to creating new habits. This concept isn’t a new one to me (I’ve been geeking out on the science of neuro-plasicity for a few years now), but he had an analogy I loved and I am going to share it with you.

Remember when you first learned to drive? How difficult it was to remember all the little details? And to perform them at the same time? All while staying safe by being aware of other drivers? Yeah. I do. Do you also remember that day not too long ago that your mind wandered and before you knew it you were headed in the wrong direction because you were on “auto-pilot?” Yeah, me too! Autopilot happens when our brains have mastered a skill so much we can practically do it without any attention. It is relatively easy. Safety considerations aside, this is FREAKING COOL! Our brains are so malleable -so “plastic” they can learn new habits to the degree where we can do them pretty much without thought!

So now, think about a habit you wish to change. Perhaps it’s getting up for early morning workouts or grabbing the apple instead of the donut. What if that choice was also something you did on “auto-pilot?” Wouldn’t that be AMAZING?

It is amazing, and it’s possible. Because of a something called neuro-plasicity. Your brain wires & re-wires all the time. New neural pathways are laid down, and old ones restructure. And it’s all done based on your repeated behaviours. The same choices you make time and time again.  So every morning you set that early alarm, you are laying down the habit. With every apple you choose, that neural pathway gets stronger. Until…autopilot!

So when it feels like WORK, embrace it. It is work. But just like driving making healthy choices will get easier with time as well. Be patient & be consistent. #besuperyou