Most of us fear change, because - as we've all experienced - most change seems to be imposed upon us, originating outside of ourselves.
The only thing that each of us can really change is OURSELVES. A rule to remember, then, is: "The only thing you can change is YOU." Therefore, unless you change...NOTHING CHANGES.
But once you've changed yourself, your perception of the world has, by definition, changed...and, as a direct result, EVERYTHING CHANGES...at least as far as you're concerned. In other words, when you see things differently, things are different...AND THE DOOR TO CHANGING YOUR ATTITUDE AND BELIEF SYSTEMS OPENS.
Here, then, is the vital question.
WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO MAKE CHANGES IN YOURSELF??
Every ounce of effort you've got to give ? that's what it'll take. That's the real answer. You need to put out whatever it takes, accomplish whatever change is needed to meet the challenges of personal, social, employment and career development these days.
As my friend Ken O'Brien used to say, "You don't necessarily get what you want or what you desire. You just get what you get -- and that depends on what you do and who you are!" It's true that actions are up to you, but events in the world aren't under your control. You're constantly faced with having to respond to the world as it changes, which means that you often have to change rather quickly or suffer some kind of loss. So let's take a look at change...another rather heavy subject.
Many centuries ago it was noted that change is something of a constant. Today things are different. No, change hasn't stopped. Quite the opposite. It's happening faster than ever.And not only is change occurring more rapidly these days, but also the degree of change is increasing?even in this shortened time frame.
Change, it seems, is a function of technology, which brings us new challenges along with new knowledge.
Back in the early 17th century, Francis Bacon wrote this famous line: "Knowledge is power." At that time, the total store of the world's knowledge was rather meager, and only a few people possessed it...clerics, academics, a few military men. Today, knowledge is doubling about every four years, and, thanks to mass media, computers and other communications devices, many people possess the knowledge.
Today, the power comes from appropriate application of knowledge. Of all the skills you could learn in your life, the knowledge of WHAT WORKS in a GIVEN SITUATION is probably the most valuable.
Here, though, is the rub. The more we know, the less we know how to apply the knowledge we have. Far from the old logic that says that the more we know about the situation the better we'll be able to handle it, today's knowledge bank is so extensive and requires so much sifting and sorting, that we experience uncertainty more now than ever before. So let's take a few minutes to look at CHANGE as KNOWLEDGE -- or SKILL.
You know, making changes in your life isn't easy. And often it's not a matter of choice; it's a matter of urgent necessity, even to the extent of being life-preserving. Does a person change personal habits after a severe heart attack? If life is the goal, then change is the order of the day! There are five stages to the change process.
1. The first is CRISIS. The wake up call comes, and we've got to change. The minute we make this decision we've completed the first stage.
2. Then comes the HARD WORK. Most of it is mental. What will the nature of this change be? What form will it take? What is the objective, the goal? What must be done - a step at a time - to get from where I am to where I believe I need to be? Most people really enjoy this stage, because there's a sense of control in these exercises. The danger, of course, is that the planning descends into pure fantasy, or that a sense of being overwhelmed sets in because of all that must be decided and done. It's a tough time, but necessary to the process.
3. Once the thinking part is over, the TOUGH DECISION moment comes...the instant in which you commit to DO IT. You haven't even made the first move, but a feeling of relief sets in. Believe me, this is a difficult moment, but when it occurs, take careful note of it. How do you feel? Whom do you tell? (It's a good idea to tell some trusted friends about your decision; this reinforces your commitment to actually DOING IT.)
4. The fourth stage, which almost invariably occurs -- but sometimes doesn't -- is THE MOMENT OR MOMENTS OF UNEXPECTED PAIN. These are times when things don't go as you've planned. They're the frustrating moments when you want to give it all up. When this happens, remember the old clich?, "Don't quit five minutes before the miracle occurs." Or tell yourself, "There's got to be a breakdown before there's a breakthrough!" These reminders will help you hang in there and keep on moving forward.
5. Finally, there's THE MOMENT IN WHICH YOU REALIZE THAT THE CHANGE HAS ACTUALLY OCCURRED! Payoffs are arriving! This is the moment of joy and the instant of integration. Enjoy it. It may be the most satisfying reward you'll get -- the knowledge that you've succeeded in changing! One thing you may realize in that moment is that more has changed than just events and outcomes. You may realize that YOU have changed, in a very fundamental way.
Congratulations in advance.
Copyright 2002, 2005 Optimum Performance Associates/Paul McNeese. Paul McNeese is CEO of Optimum Performance Associates, a consulting firm specializing in transitional and transformational change for individuals and institutions through publication. His publishing company, OPA Publishing, is an advocacy for self-publishing authors of informational, instructional, inspirational and insightful nonfiction. Email: pmcneese@opapublishing.com Websites: pmcneese@opapublishing.com and pmcneese@opapublishing.com
Whoever first said that knowledge is power was probably selling... Read More
Think out of the box, they say. But what's a... Read More
We are repeatedly told that we should forget about unpleasant... Read More
Most of your behavior is determined by your habits. Everything... Read More
One of the most common refrains I hear from people... Read More
One of the greatest compliments I ever received in my... Read More
Hello everybody and a good day (or night !) to... Read More
Are you looking for the secret or magical formula for... Read More
1. Open your mind to new ideas: Positive behavior change... Read More
"I have learned, that if one advances confidently in the... Read More
I was in the gym, pushing my adolescent muscles to... Read More
If we hope to achieve any worthwhile goal it will... Read More
Personal missions statements (PMS) are just nothing but the winning... Read More
Here are the 3 elements of the "Purpose" leg in... Read More
Frederick W. Smith attended Yale University and wrote a paper... Read More
As very few people achieve enlightenment in one lifetime, as... Read More
Normally a long memory is an advantage but not if... Read More
Don't talk to me about how to succeed! I've read... Read More
The simple action of writing the every day grocery demonstrates... Read More
'No man is an island' the saying goes. The implication... Read More
One of the greatest challenges people face when trying to... Read More
Finding balance is deciding to notice what goes on in... Read More
"All the adversity I've had in my life, all my... Read More
The best and fastest way to learn how to make... Read More
No surprise - winning traits are common among high achievers.Are... Read More
"One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key... Read More
Use birthdays and other gift-giving holidays to help reach your... Read More
Money will buy me a house, but not a home,... Read More
Here are 10 of 26 proven strategies gleaned from interviews... Read More
Self-improvement; A great deal has been written on the subject,... Read More
In Latin the word means 'to dare'.This word is so... Read More
Picture this scene: Little Johnny's mother places a large piece... Read More
Trying to keep up with the Jones only drags good,... Read More
I call the following seven belief lies of success, taking... Read More
Mike, his feet dangling above the city, opened his lunch... Read More
This revelation hit me the other day while I was... Read More
Are you looking for the secret or magical formula for... Read More
If you are looking for a surefire strategy to ensure... Read More
Before we can unlock human potential, we need to know... Read More
Do you believe that? Do you believe we can all... Read More
Never settle for what you can currently imagine You are... Read More
What if?you could have it all? 6 Steps to Living... Read More
You can be a master achiever by developing the same... Read More
Reading lots these days? Having trouble remembering and recalling? For... Read More
The Enlightened Warrior's 'Keys to Success' Through the Power of... Read More
Much has been researched, written and taught about success. One... Read More
Whoever first said that knowledge is power was probably selling... Read More
Nicholas Darvas, escaping his war-torn homeland, Hungary, sought refuge in... Read More
FOCUSAs you're building your business, you can choose to win... Read More
In a recent article (What is The Ultimate Lifestyle), I... Read More
Success |