You need more than The Secret to change

With all the publicity The Secret is getting, people may get the idea that making a personal change is simply a matter of thinking the right thoughts. As a clinical psychologist who has helped many people make important changes in their lives, I can tell you that it takes more than positive thinking. Not that there's anything wrong with positive thinking. Not at all, but it's simply not enough. Successful change -- let's say losing weight, getting out of a bad relationship, changing careers, going back to school, curbing your temper, becoming more assertive, finding a life partner--any such personal change, takes, time, effort, a plan and practicing new behavior. When you set out to change yourself, you can also expect that at first your gut reaction will be resistance. That's because we all want to feel ready before we get rolling. The unpleasant truth is that change doesn't happen that way. In fact, it's just the opposite. You have to get started and take new action first, and you'll come to feel better afterwards. That in a nutshell is your challenge: How to get going in a new direction even though you don't feel ready and your inner voice is resisting.