The Courage to Start: Overcoming the Inertia of Change

When was the last time you felt hesitant? Unsure about what to do next?

It's a feeling we've all experienced at one point or another.

Maybe it was standing on the edge of a diving board, contemplating that first plunge into the unknown depths below. Or perhaps it was staring at a blank page, the cursor blinking expectantly, waiting for your words to give it life.

Whatever the situation, that moment of hesitation is a familiar companion on the journey of change. But as daunting as it may seem, it's often the precursor to something extraordinary – the courage to start something new.

That's the essence of change – it's not just about the destination, but the guts it takes to begin the journey.

Lately, I've been chatting with a couple of clients who've been grappling with the daunting task of starting to change. One of them, let's call him Jon, is on a mission to master the art of active listening.

Sounds simple, right?

Well, not when you've spent years coasting on autopilot during conversations, believing you already know how they'll pan out.

For Jon, the challenge wasn't merely about hearing words; it was about breaking free from ingrained habits and shifting his perspective on what meaningful dialogue truly entails.

He courageously decided to take what we had practiced in workshops to his home. In his interactions with his wife, for instance. Instead of the usual dance of predictable exchanges, he had to muster the courage to step into uncharted territory – to listen with intent, not just with his ears, but with his attention and intentions.

At the end of the conversation, his wife told him: "You're a good listener."

A small change might be hard to start, but can have an unexpected impact right away.

Then there's Frederic, another client of mine, who's been yearning to carve out time for strategic thinking amidst the chaos of his daily grind.

He envisioned having a blissful hour each week, just ONE, for his Strategic Thinking time.

No to-do lists, no performance metrics. Only time to think over the bigger picture of his business.

But as the time came, it was hard to start on time, and even harder to feel alone in front of a white paper.

He says it wasn't the lack of ambition. It was more about the fear of going into the unknown without his usual safety net of tasks to validate his efforts.

So, he settled for half the time, a modest 30 minutes, as a compromise between aspiration and apprehension.

Yet, within those precious 30 minutes he gave himself, Frederic saw the possibility of something transformative. It wasn't about ticking off checkboxes but safeguarding that sacred space for himself. It was about shifting his mindset from accomplishing tasks to nurturing his business's long-term growth.

After his 30 minutes Strategic Thinking time, Frederic said: "I drew up a plan of what I want to do for one of the subsidiaries, and I thought about restructuring a department that isn't functioning well. I talked to HR and one of our potential buyers about it. That was efficient..."

So, what's the takeaway from Jon and Frederic's stories?

It's that change is not just a destination – it's a journey with uncertainty. It requires a good dose of courage.

But it's also a journey with opportunities for growth and self-discovery. The moment you try and start to change, no matter the results, you are already learning about yourself.

Starting is always the hardest part.

It's that initial leap of faith, that bold declaration to the universe that you're ready to rewrite the script.

But once you get the courage to take that first step, the momentum begins to build.

So, if you find yourself hesitating on the brink of change, remember this – the hardest part isn't the change itself; it's finding the courage to begin.

Embrace the discomfort, lean into the unknown, and watch...

If you want more about building Outstanding Workplace Cultures, here are 3 ways to stay in touch:

1.?Add me and follow me on LinkedIn.

2. Check all our companies case studies on our website.

3.?Reach out to me via email with your questions/business needs. ([email protected] )