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.

1. 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.
    
2. 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."
    
3. 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.
    
4. 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."
    
5. 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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