by Nan Einarson

Created on: February 27, 2009

Why people can't change

There are a number of factors which can contribute to a person's inability to change. Many believe they cannot change, and their negative mindsets keep them trapped in that belief. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Others fear change - "better the devil you know than the one you don't". Even though an individual's life may be filled with misery, heartache and negativity, it is what they know - it is their "comfort zone", and the fear of the unknown keeps them in that place. Still others resist change because their values systems need review.

Personal values systems are the basis on which decision-making processes are based.

The bottom line is that people who can't change are people who really don't want to or fear change. In all of these instances, self-sabotage is at work.

A person's mindset will make the difference between success and failure. The Universal Law of Attraction teaches that all thoughts have energy. Negative energies have different wavelengths from positive energies, and since this scientific law that "like attracts like" prevails, negativity attracts negativity. As the phrases go - "what goes around comes around", and "what you think about is what you manifest".

The power of the mind over the body is well documented. Dating back to the origin of humankind, the "fight or flight" reaction kicks in whenever "danger" is perceived. Notice the emphasis on "perception". Even if no immediate danger exists, the mere perception of a threat to safety is enough to send the brain into a "fight or flight" defence. Change is unknown. The unknown is equated with potential danger. Therefore, change is to be avoided. Change is not possible.

Therefore, in order for change to occur, a change in mindset is crucial. Negative self-talk is as powerful as external talk. If one hears often enough that he/she is stupid or unable to be successful or unable to change, that person eventually believes it to be true. Once that negative message is adopted internally, it becomes an internal negative belief. The longer that internal negative belief exists, the less the willingness or ability to change exists. The more that one believes change is not possible, the more that belief becomes reality.

However, the good news is that negative beliefs and negative self-talk can be turned around. If a person sincerely wants to change their circumstances, a change in mindset will initiate that change. A couple of strategies work well toward initiating the change

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