Have you ever found yourself in a place where life seems like an unending loop? And change feels like an elusive dream. Well, you’re not alone. It’s a sentiment we’ve all grappled with—the yearning for a life-changing transformation, a desire to break free from monotony.

I’ve been there, too. After years of working an unfulfilling job, I felt my dreams of a meaningful career had vanished. The turning point came when I realized I needed to stop waiting for external events to magically change everything overnight. Lasting change comes from within. I began to shift my mindset, habits, and daily choices. Small steps compound over time to reshape our reality.

Fast forward a few years, and I made that career change by honing new skills and relentlessly pursuing opportunities in line with my values—even when people told me it wasn’t realistic. My whole outlook and daily experience of life shifted.

So, if you’ve ever wondered, “Can I really change my life?” the resounding answer is yes! In fact, the real question is, why wouldn’t you want to? Where do you start? By focusing inward.

Your life, your results—they’re all inextricably tied to the choices you make. You hold the power to radically transform your own life too. To help you make those changes, here are 7 ways to not just change your circumstances but to change your entire life.

Picture this: a life where your mindset shapes your reality, where your values guide your decisions, and where every action you take propels you toward the life you’ve always envisioned. Intrigued? Stay with me as we explore the transformative power within you to change your life from the inside out.

Change Your Mindset

Your mindset refers to the set of beliefs you hold as an individual. These beliefs are what determine the way you think, the actions you take, and the actions you avoid taking. Your present state or status in life is dependent on the content and quality of your mindset. 

Your mindset plays a pivotal role in shaping your thoughts and actions. It is the primary determining factor in your life. To change your life, you will need to work on changing your mindset. Research, notably by psychologist Carol Dweck, has extensively explored the concept of mindset, distinguishing between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset.

A fixed mindset implies the belief that abilities and intelligence are static traits. If you have a fixed mindset you are more likely to shy away from challenges, fearing failure as a reflection of your inherent capabilities. This mindset can become a barrier to your personal development and your ability to embrace new opportunities.

On the other hand, a growth mindset, as advocated by Dweck, is characterized by the belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. If you are more open to embracing challenges and seeing failures as opportunities for growth, then you may have a growth mindset. This perspective fosters resilience, learning, and, ultimately, a pathway to transformative change.

To get started with changing your mindset, begin by becoming more aware of yourself. Pay attention to the thoughts and beliefs that might be holding back your personal growth. Challenge these negative thoughts by deliberately replacing them with positive, growth-focused affirmations.

Try out new things, take on challenges, and take joy in small wins. Surround yourself with positive vibes, whether it’s from mentors, uplifting books, or a supportive community. Just remember, transforming your mindset is an ongoing journey that needs patience and regular effort.

Change Your Worldviews and Perspectives

Each one of us has a certain way we view the world. I have mine, and you have yours. This manner in which you view the world is what I refer to as your worldviews and perspectives. Your worldviews determine the way you view the world external to you. But your perspectives refer to the views you hold on things, people, and events.

Think of your worldviews as the filters on your life lens. They’re like the normal eyeglasses you wear to see the world, but instead of just giving you clearer vision, they also paint everything a particular colour. Imagine putting on sunglasses—they make everything look a bit different, right?

Now, your worldviews aren’t just features; they play major roles in the direction of your life. In fact, they’re the directors of how you interact with everything around you—the people, the situations, just about everything external to you. So, if you are interested in changing your life now, guess what? Your worldview might need a little remixing.

Let’s face it, if your current perspectives aren’t doing you any good, then it’s time for a fresh perspective makeover.  Remember, life is like a movie, and you’re both the director and the main character. So, if the plot isn’t thrilling or the scenes are a bit dull, it might just be time to rewrite the script. Adjust those worldviews today!

Redefine Your Values

Your values as an individual refer to a set of principles and standards that guide your life. For so many, these are well-defined. For many others, these are not defined. If you don’t have them already defined, you need to take time to redefine your values as an individual if you are going to change your life.

And how you feel about them at the end of the day. For someone hoping to change his or her life, there are so many values you need. One of the most important is responsibility.

Think of values as your personal code of conduct—they influence what you choose to do and what you choose not to do. They’re the things that leave you feeling either on top of the world or a bit meh at the end of the day. And if you’re on a journey to transform your life, having the right values is like having a superpower. Take, for instance, the value of responsibility—it’s a game-changer. There are a number of other values you can imbibe today, such as diligence, discipline, integrity, spirituality, timeliness, and so much more.

Change Your Habits

Jim Rohn said, “Watch your actions, they become your habits. Watch your habits, they become your character.” Your habits are repetitive actions you engage in that have become automatic. You do them often without realizing that you are. It may interest you that about 40 to 45 percent of all you do daily are habits you have developed over time.

Now, here’s the fascinating part—you probably picked up most of these habits without even realizing that you did. But if you want to change your life, you need to intentionally work on changing some of these habits.  Especially those ones that are no longer serving you right. and work to develop new ones that will help you.

For example, you might have a habit of mindlessly reaching for your phone first thing in the morning or watching hours of television each night without intention or enjoyment. These passive habits can quietly take over your days.

The good news? You have the power to intentionally rewire your habits at any time to better serve your goals and values. Start by identifying 1-2 habits you want to change. These may be habits that hold you back or make you feel stuck in life.

There is available research on the subject of habit that shows it takes an average of 66 days for new habits to form through consistent practice. So choose a small, realistic new ritual to replace your old pattern. Ensure it aligns with a larger personal goal so you feel purposeful rather than restricting yourself.

For instance, if you want to reconnect with your creative side, commit to reading a novel for 30 minutes before bed instead of endlessly scrolling through social media. Or place an audio-language course in your car to pave the way for future travels. Start small, but think big! Over time, these new rituals become second nature, transforming the structure of your days.

Change Your Sources Of Information

Information plays a huge role in your makeup as an individual. The information you take in determines what you think. Your thoughts, in turn, shape your beliefs, actions, and inactions. It influences your priorities and possibilities. That’s why carefully curating our sources is key to transformative change.

Audit what informational sources currently fill your days – news outlets, social media feeds, YouTube channels, podcasts, and books. Do these align with your growth goals or actually work against them?

For example, is reading sensationalized news articles fueling stress more than knowledge? Does scrolling entertaining Instagram posts swallow hours better spent on reflection or self-improvement?

Carefully examine if each input expands your horizons or merely entertains. Now replace lower-quality sources with empowering ones.

For books, that may mean reading from great thinkers like Napoleon Hill, Brené Brown, Malcolm Gladwell, Daniel Kahneman, Esther Perel, and Simon Sinek. Fill idle moments with a Growth Mindset podcast. Follow inspiring change-makers pushing boundaries.

The key is tapping into relevant thought leaders who share ideas that energize you and shift your perspectives in positive ways. There are so many brilliant contemporary authors, speakers, scientists, and changemakers putting out content that can motivate us to reflect, grow, and transform our lives.

Soon, your new inputs will shift your mental framework. Where once you saw obstacles, you see potential. Social media headlines that once provoked outrage now bounce off you. You discern what matters.

This information diet transformation is like upgrading your life’s operating system. Start with easy swap-outs, then build positive immunity over time. The results will amaze you.

Remember, the quality of information you have at your disposal determines the quality of your life. So if you are going to change your life, you must work on changing the information you take in.

Change Your Network

Your network refers to the people you know and have some form of relationship with. Your network affects you greatly, and many often say that your network is your net worth.

Transforming your life often requires changing relationships that no longer serve your growth. As motivational speaker Jim Rohn said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”

Look closely at your current personal and professional circles. Do these connections uplift you? Are they aligned with the values and ambitions central to your identity? Or do conversations center around stale complaints versus fresh possibilities?

If certain relationships feel more draining than energizing, reconsider that investment of time and emotion. Instead, actively expand your network with those who inspire the best in you. Seek out mentors and peer communities who cheer you on your bold dreams rather than smother them.

For example, join a networking group or mastermind collective of like-minded individuals striving to improve themselves. Set up inspirational accounts on social media so you can scroll when you need a boost. Share vulnerable goals with positive friends who will nurture progress.

From the start, you might feel hesitant to disconnect from those who are not supportive of change. But planting seeds in fertile soil bears fruit. Soon you’ll build a tribe that loves, listens, and lifts you higher. Your whole self-concept will begin to shift and expand.

Change Your Goals

Your goals are another area of your life you will need to change to change your life. The present state of your life is a reflection of the quality of goals you have set for yourself in the past, whether consciously or not. If you feel stuck in default routines, you may be overdue to revisit your ambitions.

When was the last time you gave yourself permission to dream big without limits? To set goals not based on practicality but on your heart’s deepest desires?

What indicators of a good life make you excited just by picturing them?

Increased financial freedom?

Self-employment?

Living abroad?

Founding an organization to give back?

Become wildly clear on your version of success.

Now set vivid goals reflecting this vision. Make them boldly aspirational – don’t restrict based on what seems doable right now from your limited vantage point. You want to expand your belief in what’s possible.

The beauty is that once we get clear on big-end goals, the pathway there reveals itself through daily inspiration and action. Piece by piece, we build capacity, resources, and momentum. Soon, reality catches up with the vision that once seemed out of reach.

So challenge yourself. Outline goals that spark childlike excitement when you reread them. Revisit them often to make micro-movements toward these targets consistently. You hold more power than you know to manifest your biggest dreams. Start by getting them out of your head and onto paper! Remember, your goals today should reflect the quality of life you would love to have tomorrow.

Closing Thoughts

The path to changing your life starts from within, not outside. Various external circumstances, such as the economy, do have an impact on you. But true transformation begins by taking ownership of your inner self. This includes your mindset, perspectives, values, habits, influences, relationships, and goals. Don’t let fear or limiting beliefs hold you back. You have the power to change your life, even if it feels out of reach in this moment. Believe in your ability to change and grow. Be patient but persistent in challenging and improving yourself. You will stumble at times, but get back up again. The effort is always worth it.

I recently published a book on some of the 30 mistakes I made in my 20s. This book is a must-read for anyone who is looking to make the most of his or her life, especially if you are currently in your 20s or early 30s. The book is available as an E-book on Selar for just NGN 2,000. Click here to get your copy now.