The world is filled with "How to" and "Self help" books. In every language, brief or voluminous, experts have tried to tell us how to make change, stick. It's not easy. We LOVE the thought of changing--it makes us feel good and infuses us with possibility.
We make New Year's resolutions, create new marketing manuals, attend Inspirational Retreats, and make personal promises (" I'll NEVER yell at him again!) but despite all those efforts, nothing seems to stick. 

I used to think athletes had all the answers. Just be like them! Athletes like skier Lindsay Vonn--whose insatiable drive to WIN, and keep on skiing, despite incalculable injuries and setbacks--had the answers. She practically WILLED herself to another Olympics. Professional athletes are so determined and unstoppable, I reasoned. They can do anything!  

Surely we should take our cues from them? But competitive athletes are different than you and me. Mostly, their holy grail is not to change, but to repel time and persist on the path they're on. 

Some "Self Help" books proclaiming to know the answers to lasting change suggest you copy the traits of special people. In other words, Change YOURSELF and become more like those you admire. THINK like Steve Jobs. CREATE like Pablo Picasso. DEVELOP companies like Jeff Bezos. But science has proven that few of us really change our behavior. We can't just BECOME new and different people, because, we ARE who we are. 

 But there might be a better way to make change, last.   

In his book, STICK WITH IT, author and psychologist, Sean Young, PHD, who also has a Master's Degree in Health Services Research, claims there's a scientifically proven method for changing the things you want to change in your life. Real Change, he says, doesn't come from you changing who you are, or trying to become someone else; instead, real change comes from you changing how you do things.  

The author differentiates between DREAMS and goals. DREAMS are the BIG things--and rarely get done! Goals are smaller--and come from smaller steps. Instead of claiming " I'm going to lose 40 pounds this month!" it's better to say, "I'm going to eat healthier and exercise more." 
Young says you should always dream, it's inspirational, but

What's fascinating is this: although making a few small changes doesn't immediately affect the larger picture--it does allow you and others to feel very good about those small achievements. And once you feel good--you will want to feel even better! 

You'll make more changes!   

If you want to run a marathon, and you never have run one, you have to prepare methodically, by taking baby steps. First, run a half-mile. Then, three miles, then five miles. If you try to run 26 miles before you're ready, you will probably stop after three, and never run again! Dreams are good to have--but logically, and scientifically, small steps are a lot better.

Brian Tracy, prolific self-development author, put it this way, " Every single great accomplishment in life is the result of thousands of minor accomplishments that nobody ever sees." 
It's those little steps again! 

Change is never easy. We all know that. But by changing slowly, by learning new things incrementally,  you build up an acceptance of change, instead of a resistance . This is especially true in business, where change is often necessary to stay ahead of the competition, or even stay afloat. But if the changes you enact are too disruptive, too big, employees might resist and resent them. By making small changes in procedures, and praising workers for doing them well, they are more willing to take on larger challenges.  

While BIG things are fun--a car! a boat! a BIG cake!... lasting