Why do people hesitate to change their habits? “It’s what we do,” “it works for us,” “we’re just fine that way.” Really? You’re spending $200 more on electricity because you won’t check a comparison site, and then you complain about being broke? You spend $5 on coffee every morning because you “prefer to sleep in” but you’re sleep-deprived from watching TV until late? You take a month to reply to a friend’s email even though you spend five hours a day on Facebook?

DON’T SAY NO IF YOU HAVEN’T TRIED

Here’s an interesting story: I co-own an energy-saving company in Spain, and we offer a low-flow showerhead that mixes water with air. It feels the same but uses less water. I installed one at home, and after a month, my roommate finally asked when I was going to install my “special” shower. There was no difference in comfort. When we showed this product to hotels, some rejected it, fearing complaints about water pressure, but others tested it in a few rooms, found no difference in customer satisfaction, and ended up installing them throughout the hotel, saving a lot of money on water.

Change can be intimidating because it means stepping out of your comfort zone, making mistakes, and working hard for potential success. No one is perfect, and there are always areas in your life you might not be happy with. Think about what you’ve been complaining about recently. For me, it’s not being organized enough. My digital life is chaotic, my computer is messy, and my blog posts aren’t planned in advance. I need to either keep complaining or take action.

In February, I set weekly goals to organize my digital life and start March fresh. It’s easier to stay idle, but the mess on my computer also clutters my mind. Instead of keeping a list of blogging topics in my head and getting confused, I decided to write them down. Change is beneficial.

I like the saying that a lot of talent is wasted because people lack a bit of courage. By not trying and letting fear stop you, you’re missing out on a lot.

MAKE AN EDUCATED DECISION

When I was young, my mom insisted I try my vegetables before rejecting them. She wasn’t the best cook, so they were often bad, but at least I tried. Saying yes opens many doors. I used to hate avocados as a kid; now I can’t live without guacamole.

You can always go back to your old habits, knowing there’s nothing better, but why not give something new a try?

MAKE THE HABIT SO EASY YOU CAN’T SAY NO

When I aimed to swim four times a week for 15 minutes in February, I experimented with creating a habit. Setting a regular time didn’t work because something always came up. Instead, I jumped into the pool whenever it was a bit hot, without overthinking it. Once I was in, swimming for 15 minutes was easy. To eliminate barriers, I either wore my swimsuit or just jumped in with my clothes on.

It’s all in our minds. Trick yourself by setting small goals. Run for one minute instead of ten. Celebrate each milestone.

NEVER SETTLE

We naturally seek comfort and avoid pain, but that mindset gets us nowhere. Getting out of debt starts with a $1 payment. A career move begins with sending one resume. Review your finances and any other aspects of your life where you’re unhappy. Don’t be afraid to ask—for help, for training, for a raise, or a discount on your bills.

Try making small changes and see what results you can achieve.

When was the last time you made a change in your life? Did it improve things for you?