A friend once said, “The only one who wants change is a
wet baby.” From personal experience, I
know that is not true. A pre-potty
trained child would often rather run around with a full diaper than have it
changed! I think it is safe to say that
few of us really desire change, not matter what our age.
Sometimes change is thrust upon us, but very often we
have control over whether we will change or “make a change” or not. So how do you know then it is time for
change? Let me address first personal
change and, in the next blog, organizational change. What are some signs that we need to make
changes in our lives?
Perhaps the most common motivation for change is fear.
Some would question that this is an effective motivator, but fear of loss or
impending death can be very motivational even if negative in nature. When a person is told by his or her physician
that some life style changes are in order to avoid incapacity or death, only
the foolish person will ignore such advice.
If one finds himself or herself in a situation that threatens bodily or
emotional harm for self or others, change is mandatory. In
fact, if we know that minors are in danger of physical or sexual abuse, we are
compelled by law to take action.
Another reason for change is personal discomfort. If our circumstances are such that we are
uncomfortable to the point of not being able to function properly, we are
usually motivated to make change. This
may come as the result of participation in a workplace setting, a personal
relationship, or a group, but when we dread facing a particular person or
situation and we cannot resolve our discomfort, we must consider some type of
change as an option.
On a more positive level, we might seek change as part of
a vision for a better future for ourselves or others. Parents often grieve over their children leaving
home to go to college, enter the military, or take a job in another city and
young adult children may feel some of that apprehension as well, but both face
this change as part of the “leaving the nest” process that will hopefully led
the child into a place of independence in society. From these momentary sacrifices and
discomfort one expects to see some reward.
Another positive motivator of change is an awareness that
one’s gifts and skills might be used more effectively in another
situation. Even if one is relatively
comfortable in the present place of service or employment, he or she may come
to realize that there is a situation that needs what the individual has to
offer. This assumes, of course, that a
person is sufficiently self-aware to know what they do best.
The good news is that there are people who can help us
through these changes. They may be
friends, family, and colleagues who do so on an informal basis. We can also call on professionals like
ministers, physicians, counselors, and coaches to assist as we walk through
life changes.
Whatever the impetus for change, it is a necessary part
of our lives.
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