If You’re Not Ready to Change, Change Won’t Happen
600 Million Blogs and You Picked This One
(Good Choice!)
As a wellness coach, fitness instructor, business owner, and full-time mum (not to mention certified crazy dog lady), I get asked ALL the questions — every day, about everything. With so much noise and info out there, it felt like it was time to cut through the clutter. So… hello blog!
Now, choosing a topic for my very first post felt a bit like picking a first-date outfit — overwhelming and high-stakes. I mean, there are over 600 million blogs out there, and millions more are written every single day. That’s a LOT of competition for your eyeballs!
But here’s the twist: I’m 55 years old, and a big chunk of you reading this are in the 41–60 crowd. The same age group as most of my coaching/fitness clients, friends, and let’s be honest… the group that actually gets my weird sense of humour.
You’re balancing careers, families, ageing parents, changing bodies, shifting priorities, and probably more than one moment of thinking, “Why does change feel harder now?” Taking my business in a new direction didn’t happen because someone told me to. It happened because I was finally ready.
So welcome to Blog Post #1 — the one that’s REAL, relevant, and written for the people I actually talk to every day. If you’re here to make sense of wellness, change, real issues or just laugh at my dog’s latest antics — you’re in the right place.
The Science of "Not Yet"
I chose the title “If You’re Not Ready to Change, Change Won’t Happen” because it isn't just a catchy phrase, it’s rooted in behavioural science.
In the coaching world, we use the Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change). It’s the reason why only 8–9% of New Year’s resolutions actually stick. Most people try to jump straight into "Action" when their brain is still in "Contemplation."
When I ask my clients, "On a scale of 1 to 10, how ready are you to change?" I’m measuring their Ambivalence. If you’re at a 4/10, it doesn’t mean you’re lazy; it means the "cost" of changing (the effort, the sacrifice, the discomfort) currently outweighs the "benefit" in your mind.
That’s where the Stage of Change Model comes in. I use it with every client who wants to make a change and with myself too. Why? Because the higher someone’s readiness to change, the more likely they are to adopt new habits and stick with them.
Motivation vs. Readiness: The Great Decoder
We often confuse motivation with readiness.
Motivation: "I really want to lose/gain weight because my doctor said so" (8/10).
Readiness: "I am prepared to meal prep on Sundays and skip the nightly wine" (3/10).
Research in Self-Determination Theory shows that for change to stick, it has to be autonomous—it has to come from your internal values, not external pressure. This is why you can’t "make" your spouse or kids change. I have to laugh when my kids finally adopt a habit I’ve been preaching for years. Why now? Because they moved through the stages of change on their own timeline. They are ready.
When motivation and readiness are aligned — for example, an 8 out of 10 for both — people are far more likely to take meaningful action and stick with new habits.
True transformation isn't triggered by someone else's expectations (pressure or guilt). It’s triggered by an internal shift where the driver to grow finally outweighs the comfort of staying the same.
Where Do You Sit on the Scale?
Before you dive into your next big goal or beat yourself up for a resolution that didn't stick, ask yourself: Where am I really on that 1-to-10 scale? If you aren't at a 7 or 8 yet, that’s okay. It’s not a failure; it’s a data point. It’s a sign that you can’t outsource your readiness—not to a coach, a spouse, or a New Year’s countdown. You have to feel it in your bones.
Thank You for Being Here
Thank you so much for stopping by and reading my very first blog post—it means the world to have you here. If you're feeling that spark of "okay, it’s time," then let's get to work.
Stick around, because in my next post, we’re going to talk about the tactical steps to move that needle from a 4 to a 10. But for now? I have a crazy dog(s) demanding a walk and a lukewarm green tea with my name on it.
See you in the next post!
x Suzy
P.S. Still feeling a bit stuck on that 1-to-10 scale? I’ve created a free 'Readiness Roadmap' PDF to help you find your 'why' and move that needle toward success. [Click here to download it!] and let's get you to that 7+ together."