Implementing Change

Change is something that few people embrace. The comfort zone is a powerful mechanism whether we are referring to personal development or implementing new methods into the workplace. Resistance is common. Overcoming it is imperative if success is to follow.

According to Harold Stolovitch, professor at the University of Montreal, there are three areas which we need to focus upon.

1. Novelty:

In general, we like novelty when it is not a great disruption to our lives. We will try a new restaurant, travel a different route, or read something in a different genre. However, we resist the major changes which stay with us. This is the novelty we resist.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the workplace. Major changes in procedures tend to throw an entire organization off. We find productivity decreases even if the changes are of benefit.

The solution: reduce the novelty by implementing things where the people feel a strong sense of control. Give them some input into the implementation process.

2. Complexity:

People resist that which they do not understand. The success rate diminishes the more complicated something is. Most need to know only the basics to utilize something. Technology is a prime example which often scares people. Reduce the fear by making everything as simple and as possible.

3. Abstractness:

How does this apply to me? This is something that each person asks themselves whenever we are confronted with something new. Any changes need to be explained in a manner that the individual knows how it pertains to them. For example, a shift in policy that the VPs understand might not translate to the custodial staff. To be effective, the implementation needs to include a benefit to each individual.

Too many ideas operate in the abstract world. They make sense on paper but not to the people who really matter. Be sure to connect the larger concept with the individual that is being asked to change.

These three ideas will help to reduce the resistance to change. Implement it both at work and in your personal life. If there are some changes you need to make, and are resisting, look at these three areas. Adopt these ideas and you will make those changes easily.
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Passion Leads To Energy

Have you ever noticed how much energy you have when you are excited about doing something? At the same time, ever consider how lackluster you feel when you have to do something that you would rather not? This seems to be a common trait among all people. We witness this behavior regularly when studying other people.

Monday has the highest absentee rate of any day during the week. Is this a surprise to anyone? Not when you consider that statistics show that 75% of the population dislikes their job. People simply dread going into work. And those that do make it there, lack the passion necessary for excellence. Instead, they drag through the day anxiously awaiting the time when they can go home. This occurs throughout the world on a daily basis.

When we are excited about something, suddenly we have the energy necessary for that activity. Have you ever seen a child too tired to get up Christmas morning? Of course not. Yet this same person is unable to get up for school without a crowbar being applied. The amount of sleep is not what makes the difference. It is the excitement that creates the energy.

How does this apply to you? Well, it is time to make everyday like Christmas morning. Get excited about your life. This is done by doing things that you are passionate about. It starts with your profession. If you are in the 75% who detests what you do, find a different avenue to pursue. This might not be possible immediately. Nevertheless, set out a goal to be employed in a field that you love within the next year. This will set you off on a different path.

Too many spent their lives trudging through each day. A life without passion is really no life at all. Implement this simple emotion into all that you do to find out how much life can change.
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Lesson From A Cup of Coffee

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university Professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.

Offering his guests coffee, the Prof. went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups: porcelain, plastic, glass, some plain-looking and some expensive and exquisite, telling them to help themselves to hot coffee.

When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the Prof. said "If you noticed, all the nice-looking, expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones.

While it is but normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.

That all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the better cups and are eyeing each other's cups."

"Now, if Life is coffee, then the jobs, money and position in society are the cups.

They are just tools to hold and contain Life, but the quality of Life doesn't change.


Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee in it."

So friend, don't let the cups drive you...enjoy the coffee instead.


Originally posted at wordlyideas.blogspot.



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Use This Time To Reaffirm Your Dreams

Now is the time to start making the changes in your life. The world is in turmoil at the moment. People are strong and we will get past this crisis. However, many are being affected negatively but what is occurring. The plans that many set out are being eliminated with each 100 point drop in the stock market. Everything that some worked for is gone.

Hopefully, you are not one of these people. I pray that you are in a position where you can survive until things reverse course. Circumstances will vary for each individual with the overall tone being negative. Life still will continue on.

My training tells me to look for the lesson in each situation. There is something that I can carry from this which will improve my life in the future. What is it? At the same time, there is an overriding lesson that I believe all need to look at.

The people who are in the process of losing it all spent years working to get to the position they were in. They toiled at professions to someday be able to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Sadly, this is going to be difficult for most. Their plans changed in a short period of time.

This brings me to the lesson. We all heard the story about the man on his deathbed looking back over his life. The idea is that few ever say "I wish I spent more time at the office". When we look back, we often have regret over opportunities missed. It always comes down to how we choose to spend our time.

Our present crisis is offering an opportunity to look back over our life without being on our deathbed. Thankfully, there is still time. We can take the corrective action now to create the wonderful life that we crave. This situation is serving as a wake up call to all.

Each of us has dreams that we buried long ago. The childish ideas of our youth was replaced with the concept of being responsible. Typically, the career we chose was one out of necessity rather than desire. Nevertheless, following that path led us to the place of starting over. Many are now broke and facing the possibility of being out of work. Following the responsible path led to the place of unhappiness and regret. It is less of a burden if there is something to show for the years of effort. In many instances, this is not the situation.

Therefore, I beg you to start re-evaluating. Are you doing something that you love? Is there something else that you prefer doing? Are you happy with the life that you chose? Answering in the negative to any of these questions is a reminder to wake up. The time to change in now.

Transforming one's life is usually very risky. There are choices made which are often done on faith. However, never is it easier to do this as when there is little to lose. Unemployment is projected to increase another 1-2 points at a minimum. Many people will find themselves out of work. They will be forced into a career change. I am asking you to voluntarily make this decision if it is what you want.

Unleash your dreams on the world. What is it that you would do if you had no limitations? This is a critical question. Remove the barriers of self doubt and "realism". It is time to get unrealistic. The crisis we are enduring is one we never saw before. There are similarities to the past yet nothing that measures up to this in magnitude. The entire world is being affected.

You are responsible for your life. I wrote in the past about playing the "blame game". Resist the temptation to do this. Circumstances might well be beyond your control. However, blaming others gives your power away. Take it back by first starting to dream again. Write out your ideal life without limitations. This is the initial step of formulating a new path.

Life can be changed by doing many little things to create a new direction or by totally revamping everything through a major move. Many can follow the path of the former. The later, however, is a more viable option with the circumstances as they are. People now have less to lose then they did a few weeks ago. The time to dream of a different reality is here.
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Guaranteed Failure

Many talk about what it takes to be a success. It is true that success leaves clues for one to follow. Failure does the same thing. If we study the qualities of those who fail, there is a pattern which develops. Here are three things you which will guarantee you never achieve anything that you want.

1. Fail to manage your time.

This is the one commodity that we are all equal in. The difference is in how we choose to spend it. Some prefer to exchange the time for money (working for a paycheck). Others like to waste this commodity sitting in front of the television like a mindless robot. Finally, many show up at work looking for something to do instead of proactively managing their assignments. The use of a list makes us much more effective at using our time to the utmost.

2. Fail to manage your money.

Obviously, this is a path to the poorhouse. Credit card debt is reaching an all-time high. We are about to witness the largest credit card defaults in history. Too many people live beyond their means with no clue how to manage their money. I wrote "Your Easiest Million" as a way to assist people with the basic understanding of money management. Money properly saved and invested will multiply. Unfortunately, so will debt.

3. Fail to manage your emotions.

Too often people make decisions based upon emotions. We do not think clearly when we are in an emotionally charged state. Business negotiators know this all too well. They are trained to remain calm regardless of what transpires. Trial attorneys do the same thing. Emotions cause us to react rather than respond. "Knee jerk" reactions lead to bad decisions. The heart is a wonderful thing for romance. However, wearing it on your sleeve will negatively affect your life.

If you want success in life, reverse the habits of the failure. Take control of your time, money, and emotions. It is the path of the successful.
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5 Things To Change Your Life In The Next 90 Days

Today is October 1st. There are three months left in the year. Before we know it, people will be making their New Year's Resolutions for 2009. Unfortunately, we all know how those can turn out. Most fail at them before the end of January. Thus, the time to start developing the momentum to change your life is now.

Here are 5 things you can do in the next 3 months which will change your life.

1. Lose 10 lbs.

This is a number that most people can hit. It requires dropping 3 pounds per month for the rest of the year. Changing your diet while adding some exercise will accomplish this feat. Will 10 lbs make a difference for many people? Not necessarily. However, developing the habits will carry forward into 2009. In addition, most found that they lost more than 10 pounds in the first 90 days.

2. Read 3 books.

That equates to one book a month. Choose subjects that can enrich your life. A book such as Your Easiest Million offers many ideas on how to set yourself on the path to an improved financial life. Knowledge is an invaluable tool if it is applied. However, it first must be acquired. Reading is a terrific way to expand our knowledge base. It is one of the most beneficial habits to have.

3. Create goals for the next 3 years.

This can take some time. A life without a plan is apt to spin out of control. The chances of arriving at a destination are increased if you know what that destination is. Sadly, people spend more time planning a vacation than they do their lives. It is time to create a set of goals for yourself and a plan for achieving them. This is how you will lead a fulfilled life.

4. Take a weekend for yourself.

We are all overwhelmed with life. The era we live in is one of hustle and bustle. That is not going to change. Most people have gone the entire year without taking some time for themselves. Taking a weekend away will recharge the batteries. This need not be something expensive. The key is to leave all work, chores, and responsibilities. Go camping, rent a cabin, or an inexpensive motel in your hometown. Just relax for a full 48 hours.

5. Start saving and investing.

The recent financial crisis shows us what happens when we over extend ourselves. Start setting a few dollars a week away. Developing the habit is invaluable for your future financial success. I discuss in Your Easiest Million paying yourself for some of the chores that you do for free. For example, each night that you prepare dinner, pay yourself a dollar. This will put $30 a month into your savings. I would suggest that you read some books (suggestion #2) on investing to become familiar with the world of investing. It is important to have your money make money.

Doing these 5 things will help you develop momentum going into next year. It is crucial to create the habits now. Whatever you desire in the coming year will be more likely to be achieved if you can do it automatically. The next 90 days is the time to lay the foundation.
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