CHANGE BEFORE YOU HAVE TO

“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be  changed without changing our thinking”—Albert Einstein

Today’s world moves and changes at a faster pace than ever before. The fact is, life is constantly in a state of flux, and we need to start changing and create the SHIFT necessary to stay ahead of the changes. Ironically, the one thing that is certain, is that change is constant. Therefore, the ability to be flexible and open to changes, is essential to our survival not just in business, but in life. The truth is, if you aren’t moving and changing as the world around you changes, you aren’t growing. You’re standing still—and you’re likely to be left behind. 

While change can bring about positive results, creativity, and new opportunities, the process of change can be difficult. In order to change, we must do things we are uncomfortable doing. While some people can readily embrace change, others will do anything to avoid it until they simply can’t any longer, often with dire consequences. 

Here are the eight primary reasons people change:

1.   FEAR:

People realizing, they are constantly existing in a state of fear, and living their life to please everyone else rather than focusing on what’s important. The difference between poverty and prosperity is the mindset of living out of necessity instead of possibility.

2.   GREED:

Constantly wanting more, never feeling that anything is enough--to the point of disregarding your own core values. 

3.   FRUSTRATION:

Constantly living in a hostile or negative environment, seeing no future despite all your efforts and continuing to get the same undesirable results. 

4.   CONNECTION (your spiritual leader): 

Spiritual connection is the root of all change. Experiencing and building the connection to a superpower or spiritual leader of their choice often leads people to want to change.

5.   INTENTIONAL GROWTH (the hunger to change): 

Being hungry to ‘grow’--a deep desire to move beyond all those self-limiting expectations and expand your core belief system.  

People resist change because of their own self-limiting beliefs. Our beliefs are like a bucket. On a rainy day, we can all put our buckets out and let them fill with water…but we can only collect as much water as the size of our bucket will allow. If we want more water, we have to get a bigger bucket. Our bucket is our belief system… we must expand it to get bigger and ‘grow’ to accommodate our needs. 

Personal growth doesn’t occur without effort. The effort is one of recognizing your own power and taking ownership and responsibility for your own development.

6.   LIFE-CHANGING EVENTS: 

Constantly thinking about “what happens if I die today?” There is nothing like the impact of a near death experience, health challenge, or another life-changing event. These kinds of experiences often lead people to re-evaluate their lives and priorities, motivating them to make changes, and gives them new perspective.

7.   FINDING YOUR ULTIMATE PURPOSE: 

Constantly seeking answers to the ‘why’ of life, and finally identifying your true purpose. Once you accept your circumstances and decide to act, you can welcome change. Change is an opportunity to form new habits and become who you are meant to be. 

8.   TRUE LOVE: 

Being filled with the power of love is bigger than fear or frustration. It allows people to see the bigger picture and gives them the courage to overcome the challenges that lead to change.

 “Constant development is the law of life, and a man who always tries to maintain his dogmas in order to appear consistent drives himself into a false position.”       -- Mahatma Gandhi

In order to create true change, a ‘Mindshift’ has to occur from within, because true change is an internal job. 

MIND-SHIFT:

o   S    Surpass the status quo

o   H  Honor your values 

o   I     Impact the world 

o   F    Focus on your purpose 

o   T  Transcend boundaries 

The reality is, growth requires change, and leaders can only grow if they change. As things keep changing around us at lightning speed, it is clear we will all have to change at some point. Which is why it is wise to change before you have to. 

Ask yourself are you ahead of the change, leading the change, or simply waiting for change to happen to you? If you’re waiting, all you have to do is SHIFT your thinking and ‘change’ your mindset. “Change before you have to” – Jack Welch