Turning Points: When Fundamental Change Takes Place

In life, there are cycles and turning points.

Cycles consist of habits and routines. They involve behaviors we repeat either because of a cyclical schedule or because of habits developed over time, or both. Some cycles may be daily, others weekly or yearly.

Other cycles may not have a regular period, bit instead consist of a predictable series of events even if the length of time is variable. Some examples of these irregular but predictable patterns might be weight gain and loss, quitting smoking and starting again, being single and being in relationship, or inspired music practice and neglecting the instrument.

Turning points are quite another matter.

A turning point is a structural change in lifestyle. In hindsight it looks like, "Something happened and I behaved differently from that point forward." For some it is getting married, for others it is giving up an addiction, breaking habits or a radical shift in lifestyle. Sometimes it is hard to pinpoint what makes the difference, but it seems apparent that it has to do with a shift in context or the way circumstances are interpreted.

This is all well and good as a conclusion after the fact, but how does one bring about a turning point in one's life? What are the earmarks that will ensure success with giving up smoking, taking weight off and keeping it off or pursuing something important with enough commitment to ensure success?

I have noticed for myself that immediately prior to a genuine turning point there is an experience of feeling unsettled in a visceral sense. It has the quality of no longer being able to fool one's self. The jig is up. Your goose is cooked.

I experienced one of those recently in a conversation with Geralyn Gendreau. At the time I weighed 285. The turning point has happened. I will be posting my progress on this blog from time to time.