Reflections about Change
by STEVE COATS
Seems like every month we read about how much
faster computer processors have become. First it was 350 megahertz,
then 500, now 800, and soon -- who knows. And today of course, they
process in 128 bit chunks instead of 32 or 64 - which also dramatically
improves the speed, or so they say. Sounds pretty impressive to
all of us non-techies, doesn't it? But, you know what? As fast as
computer technology is improving, there is one thing moving at an
even faster pace. That is the rate of change that each and every
one of us continues to face every day in our lives. Yet, I wonder
how many of us really, truly grasp the magnitude of that change
- or have we become numbed by it.
Check out the following passage from a New York
newspaper about the new millennium.
"The consensus of those we interviewed
on the streets of Manhattan is that we'll welcome the new century
with open arms. But don't expect us not to be a little frightened.
Business is changing. Work is changing. Science is advancing.
The world political climate is unlike anything we've ever witnessed.
Even the weather seems different. Many see the part coming to
an end. Others see a dawn of greater opportunity."
As you probably suspected, this was indeed written
in December of 1899. No matter what we think, change is constant.
And it seems to be hitting us faster and harder. Like the old adage
says, "Love doesn't make the world go round, change makes the
world go round. Love just keeps it populated!"
Here's the point. Each and every one of us must
keep changing in order to be able to successfully adapt to the changes
going on outside of us. Easier said than done. We effortlessly acknowledge
that all people, even ourselves, need to change; but no matter how
much we study or talk about it, personal change just doesn't seem
to get any easier.
Reminders
There are no simple solutions, but here are a
few reminders that hopefully will enable you to help yourself and
others take the uncomfortable, but rewarding steps of personal change.
- There is always a sense of loss with personal
change, as some part of oneself is always left behind. Loss cannot
be ignored; it must be dealt with.
- There must be a compelling reason to change.
Leaving something behind, even if it is just a familiar way of
doing something, is painful. An individual must have some rather
strong convictions about the pleasure or benefit associated with
the change, so it is worth facing the pain that always occurs.
People won't confront the pain of personal change simply because
a boss tells them they need to, or that "change is good."
- Visions of the future help, because it is through
visions that people can see, feel and emotionally believe that
changing today results in a better, more desirable tomorrow. Visions
provide a sense of hope, and hope is the ultimate human fuel of
change.
- People need to have options in order to become
committed to personal change. Pay close attention to the wise
words of Rosabeth Moss Kanter who once wrote that people's resistance
to change can be measured by what is "done to them"
divided by what is "done by them."
- Personal change requires personal courage.
We all have convincing reasons why we don't need to change, but
it takes genuine courage, to be truthful enough with ourselves,
to admit we do. This can in fact be the most painful part of change.
Personal change involves a convoluted relationship
among pain, pleasure, vision, options and courage. Please remember
those important factors as you personally deal with and encourage
others to change the way they do things.
Application
Here is something you might find useful. Take
a moment, think about and respond to the following questions. You
may want to ask other people you work with to do the same, and then
discuss your responses together at an upcoming team meeting. You
might be surprised what you learn about your colleagues and about
yourself.
- Think about a major change that you initiated
in your life. It could be marriage, taking a new job, relocating
to a new city, having children. (Make it something substantial.)
- What was some of the pain you experienced?
(Reflect deeply on this.) What did you have to give up,
sacrifice or leave behind? Were these important?
- What were some of the barriers you had to overcome?
- Why did you proceed? What gave you the resolve
to move ahead?
- What, if anything, would you do differently
if you were doing this (or something similar) again?
- What does this experience tell you about what
it takes for you to personally change?
I hope you find this helpful, and good luck on
your journey to become the new you!
Click here for last month's lesson: Divided
Expectations
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