How can I effect change?  It's really very simple, and like many simple things, impossibly hard.  The only thing I really have any control over is myself, therefore, if I want to make changes, I need to start with the "man in the mirror. "
 
Step 1:  identify what it is I want to change.
Step 2:  ask myself, do I really want to change?
Step 3:  list several ways I could make this change.
Step 4:  choose one of the options and try it.

If it works, I have successfully effected a change.  If it doesn't work, got back to step 2 and start over.

Simple.  Then why is it so hard?