We all want to make positive changes in our life, and Dr. Daniel Amen provides an encouraging roadmap of how to reach our goals and make them stick.

“If you have come to the decision that you want to make changes in your life, you probably want them to happen NOW! But after nearly 30 years of helping patients navigate the change process, I have learned that taking a gradual approach is the surest way to success.

So many people try to change all at once, but this almost inevitably invites disappointment and failure. You don't have to change dozens of behaviors at once. Start with a few vital behaviors—the ones that will have the biggest immediate impact—and go from there.

Here are 5 essential tips to retrain your brain to make the long-term changes you want most.

1. Focus on your successes. 
Rather than dwelling on the habits you haven't managed to change yet, focus on the positive steps you have made. Are you drinking more water? Terrific! Are you...

When we think about making lasting changes in our health, we are convinced that all changes begin with a renewed mindset…

Want to eat healthy? Get your mind right. 

Want to build relationships that nourish you? Get your mind right.

Want a fitness routine that you enjoy and actually do? You got it— Get your mind right!

When we trade our old thinking in for new thinking, true transformation can begin. Proverbs 4:23 says to be careful what you think, for your thoughts run your life. 

And Romans 12:2 goes on to say that we are actually transformed by the renewing of our minds. 

It’s our thoughts and attitudes that determine what we feel. And our thoughts, attitudes, and feelings then ultimately determine what we do.

So let’s bring more focused attention on our thoughts, as we bring in the good and put aside any negative thinking that may creep in to derail our attempts to get healthy.

We thought a good way to renew our mindsets would be to start...