enable change

Change is impossible. Change is inevitable.

One of my favorite sayings about change (I think originated by Charlie Seashore). Why is change so difficult? Sure, when change is somebody else’s idea, then it is understandably difficult. I might not even agree with it, like it or want it. But even when it is my own idea it can seem impossible. Let’s start with looking at change that just involves the three of us: me, myself and I. That should be simple.

Yeah sure. Simple, but not easy. Don’t believe me? Try an experiment. Try making a simple change, say for a week initially. If you normally put your right shoe on first, put on your left first. If you normally shave, then shower; shower then shave instead. If you go to work on a beaten path, change it to a new way of getting there. If you are usually silent in a crowded elevator, try talking. Or think of an experiment of your own creation.

Don’t judge or push yourself, just notice as you try on one of these simple changes — observe yourself, watch, pay attention. You will learn a great deal about change, why it is difficult and how to go about it.

One of the greatest social scientists of all time, Kurt Lewin, approached things this way. He set up simple, live, real time, experiments. We’ll be visiting some of his theories soon. For now, watch yourself and let the rest of us know how did your change go? Oh, wait a minute, you don’t want to try the experiment — now what does that tell you about your approach to change!?!