Managing the Challenges of Change

Do you ever wish you could just wave a magic wand and make everything better? Whether you’re thinking about improving yourself, finding the love of your life or attaining your career goals, wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could take just one major step and achieve all of your aims? I know. It’s sounds too fantastic to be true. And that’s because most changes involve a series of connected steps – rather than one simple manoeuvre. In our fast-moving world, we’ve been conditioned to expect instant results. We’re impatient. We don’t always appreciate that meaningful change usually involves a sustained effort. We forget that the process of change can take time. So, we dream of instant fixes and immediate results instead of preparing ourselves for the long haul. Now, where did I leave that magic wand?!

When we think about improving our lives, our health, our relationships, our careers, we tend to overlook the most essential ingredient of all – the need for change. And the real problem with change is that, deep down, we really don’t like it. In fact, we usually resist it with every fiber of our being. Does that sound familiar to you?

How wonderful it is that nobody needs wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.

-??????Anne Frank

Superficial adjustments are fine but we all understand that cosmetic changes rarely challenge us. When the circumstances call for meaningful, significant changes, we quickly reveal our creative talents for resistance. We prefer the comfort of predictability rather than the uncertainty that follows any significant shifts in our behaviour or in our surroundings. Ultimately, we are constrained by our addiction to being creatures of habit.

The first step on the pathway to a better way of living is to acknowledge that things really have to change. The uncomfortable part of that acknowledgement is the recognition that the most important changes will take place within us rather than in the world around us. You’ve probably noticed that simply changing the surroundings rarely results in sustainable improvements. If we really aspire to a better life, the revolutionary changes need to take place within the domain of our own hearts and minds.

Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.

-??????Stephen Hawking

It’s also very helpful to recognise that change is very much a process rather than a single step. When you make allowances for the fact that the changes will probably unfold over weeks or months, you’ll be better prepared for the journey and less likely to feel discouraged when the results don’t magically appear in a matter of minutes!

If you aspire to introduce meaningful changes into your life, it’s very helpful to develop a clear idea of what you want to achieve. Vague terms will only produce vague results. Clarity is essential. As everyone knows, when you place your clearly-defined desires within a precise timeframe, you turn your aspirations into a set of goals. And this is very helpful if you want to ambitions and turn your aspirations into reality.

Like any goal-setting exercise, the process of change benefits enormously from a game plan. When you break down all the steps you need to take to make the changes possible, you immediately feel that you’ve taken control of the process. Then, you just need to take that first essential step on the pathway to your new life.

If we don’t change, we don’t grow. If we don’t grow, we aren’t really living.

-??????Gail Sheehy

The main challenge to change, as we’ve already suggested, is the internal resistance that we unconsciously engage in order to keep things very much as they are. Our conscious minds happily embark on a fabulous journey to a new and better life – whilst our subconscious framework stubbornly resists our best efforts to move forwards.

Understanding this mechanism can be extremely useful in overcoming behavioural inertia. This is also where a daily Plan of Action can help you to maintain momentum and keep your personal process of change comfortably on track. The fewer decisions you have to make about your programme for change, the easier the process will become.

It’s also very helpful to keep a record of what happens. You’ll notice the results of your actions and you’ll feel more confident about your ability to initiate and maintain any campaign for a better way of living.

Let him that would move the world first move himself.

-??????Socrates

None of us live in complete isolation. So, recruit your friends, family and colleagues to help and support you in your quest. Explain what you’re aiming to achieve and ask for their encouragement. You can appoint trusted individuals to hold you to account for your actions. No more excuses. No lapses. You’re on the super-highway to self-improvement and it’s simply wonderful to have your personal support team cheering you on and demanding that you stay on course.

If you encounter resistance in your thoughts and feelings, take a moment to acknowledge that this is entirely natural. You know that humans almost always resist change and this reaction is a sure sign that you’re making progress. If you weren’t changing, there’s be no reaction, would there? Rather than focusing on trying to combat your own internal resistance, turn your attention to the completion of your goals. Focus on the desired outcome rather than on the obstacles. The less energy you invest in your own internal resistance, the less relevant it will become. Momentum can work wonders in bringing you closer and closer to your goals. That’s why the daily Action Plan is so helpful. It keeps you on track.

Love change, fear staying the same.

-??????Maxime Lagacé

The reality of our lives is that everything is in a constant state of change. Nothing remains the same and we can find a source of great understanding in recognising this undeniable fact. If everything’s changing, let us embrace this powerful dynamic and turn it to our advantage. Let’s make full use of the possibility for change and discover the best ways to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. Change can be an extremely powerful force for good in the world. Let’s make today the day when we choose the changes that will bring the greatest benefit for the greatest number.

Change your thoughts and you change your world.

-??????Norman Vincent Peale

Are you ready right now for a completely fresh approach to life’s great adventure? Get in touch with us today for a free session to discover how the growing global movement for personal growth, success, change and empowerment can enhance your life!

Greg Parry created The Wellness Foundation and the Cognitive Empowerment Programs specifically to help people master their stress, overcome their limitations and explore the power of their true potential.

If you enjoy these blogs, you can imagine how much fun it is to have Greg in the room as an inspirational and highly perceptive speaker. If you’d like to invite Greg to talk to your company or organisation or event, feel free to get in touch.

You can contact Greg and explore our websites at:

www.thewellnessfoundation.eu

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