Change is good: How to make lasting personal changes in your life - Northeastern Center
Skip to content
24/7 Emergency Solutions: 1-800-790-0118
24/7 Emergency Solutions
Google Translate
How to Become a Client
Change is good: How to make lasting personal changes in your life
Ed Dobson, licensed clinical social worker and staff therapist at Northeastern Center, provided some helpful tips to make changes in your life last long-term.
Remember that progress is more important than perfection.
At the beginning of the year, it’s easy to get caught up in resolutions and goals, but often we go into them without a solid plan and give up quickly. It’s important to remember that progress is not linear.  Lasting change is more like a spiral staircase where we advance and have a tendency to slide back a step, or two.  But we have gained knowledge of what worked and what didn’t thus far.
When it comes to making lasting changes, focus on making progress, not doing it perfection quickly. Change takes time, be as patient with yourself, as you would your best friend.  Encourage yourself, as you would your best friend.  If you don’t meet your goal in one day, don’t give up. Keep moving forward.
Make a plan and keep track of your progress.
Having steps towards your end goal, as well as a timeline can help you in creating lasting changes. Make a list of small goals towards your bigger goal that are attainable and relevant to your personal life and lifestyle, keeping in mind your values and what you are striving for. Create a timeline for each of these small goals and start working toward them. Keep in mind that it’s about progress over perfection. If you miss a goal on your timeline, don’t give up. Keep striving to improve, one day at a time.
Therapy can help you work on yourself and your goals.
If you find yourself wishing you had some extra support, a therapist could help you make changes and accomplish your goals. They can help by introducing certain skills in therapy that can help you as you work toward your goals. Therapists can also help you stay honest and accountable with yourself and set clear, attainable goals. If you struggle with showing yourself grace and compassion, they can help you work on that, too.
Anytime is a good time to start.
As we get further into the year, it may start to feel like it’s too late to get started toward making lasting changes in your life. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Any time of year is a good time to pursue lasting change. Remember to take small steps, create goals and keep moving forward; progress isn’t linear. And, if you feel like a therapist could be beneficial on your journey, visit our
New Client
page to learn about how easy it is to get started as a client at Northeastern Center. It’s never too late to get started!
josie
2026-03-11T09:26:18-04:00
Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!
Reddit
Tumblr
Pinterest
Vk
Related Posts
Northeastern Center secures $300k in funding to continue providing free transportation via NEC Connect
April 13th, 2026
0 Comments
Q&A with Hillary Mundon: Staff Therapist and former Jane George Scholarship winner.
March 25th, 2026
0 Comments
Northeastern Center accepting applications for 21st annual Jane George Scholarship
Northeastern Center accepting applications for 21st annual Jane George Scholarship
March 4th, 2026
0 Comments
Northeastern Center adds two leaders and a new staff therapist to team
Northeastern Center adds two leaders and a new staff therapist to team
January 20th, 2026
0 Comments
Q&A: Everything you need to know about NEC’s new outpatient labs!
Q&A: Everything you need to know about NEC’s new outpatient labs!
January 15th, 2026
0 Comments
Ask a Psychiatrist: Q&A with Dr. Theresa Greiner
Ask a Psychiatrist: Q&A with Dr. Theresa Greiner
January 7th, 2026
0 Comments
Recent Posts
Northeastern Center secures $300k in funding to continue providing free transportation via NEC Connect
Q&A with Hillary Mundon: Staff Therapist and former Jane George Scholarship winner.
Change is good: How to make lasting personal changes in your life
Northeastern Center accepting applications for 21st annual Jane George Scholarship
Northeastern Center adds two leaders and a new staff therapist to team
Topic Tags
awards
christmas
disability
Funding
graduate
grant
high school
holidays
Jane George
mental health
news
Scholarship
As a community mental health center, Northeastern Center provides comprehensive mental health services, including outpatient therapy and medication management, substance use treatment, adult residential homes, inpatient services, 24/7 crisis services and more. With 12 locations across DeKalb, LaGrange, Noble and Steuben counties, it has served northeast Indiana since 1977.
No person shall, on the grounds of race, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin, ancestry, veterans status, ability to pay, GINA, gender identity or sexual orientation be excluded from participating in, be denied the benefit of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of Northeastern Center, Inc. A discounted/sliding fee schedule is available based on family size and income.
Copyright 2025 Northeastern Center, Inc. | All Rights Reserved |
Price Transparency
Website by
Indigo Web Services LLC
Employee Login
Page load link
Go to Top