The beginning of the year is a time where many make New Year’s resolutions, vowing to make a change. Many of these resolutions cease to exist 7-10 days into the new year. It’s not for lack of trying; it’s for lack of commitment. Change is hard. Change is a disruption. Change is a catalyst for something different. Change is constant.
You can see change as a theme every time you turn on the news, read the paper, or browse the magazine covers at the grocery store. Change is happening whether we like it or not.
There is a distinction, however, to change that is happening around us versus through us. I’ve spent many years in leadership positions seeing employees struggle with change and others thriving off of it. What makes us uncomfortable with change? Is it that we have no guarantee of the desired outcome, or we have to control of the process?
One of my passions in education is following all trends in “change management” or how we can effectively manage a changing environment. When we think about personal change, these are items we want for ourselves like losing weight, eating healthier, prioritizing time for self-care, et.
Personal change is something you want for yourself through self-actualization and growth. Resolutions are meant to be that. For example, I made a resolution to drink more water, quantifying it as no less than 6 full glasses of water every day. I know this change is healthy for me, and necessary, but the day goes by so fast, and I honestly forget. Why would this be hard? Honestly, because it’s a lasting change that I want as a priority in my life. It’s new. It’s important.
Lasting change has to do with creating new habits, new thoughts, or new directions. If we desire the change intrinsically enough, we will remember. It will come to us with ease. If the change you want is specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely, then you have written down a SMART goal or change that you have put thought into. It’s more than just creating something to appease an inquiring mind during a conversation about resolutions. Lasting change is one that you want, desire, or need. It’s one that you don’t have a choice about.
How many changes in your life are things you have desired versus changes that have been outside your control? There is a big difference. What changes do you want, desire, or need? Think of just one this week that only applies to you. Is it specific? measurable? achievable? and timely? Just like wanting to drink more water. How many glasses? In what time frame? Is it realistic? Small steps every day can make lasting changes in the long run. What is a lasting change you desire for your life?
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