Change is inevitable – Growth is optional

The title is a quote from Mr. John C. Maxwell and holds wisdom so great that it is next to impossible to say anything even remotely as wise as that.

But instead of trying to outsmart it, I rather try to explain my view about why changing is often so hard. In short: the main reason boils down to one of our prime drivers in life – the need to save energy.

The change that consumes more energy than the cozy status quo is always more or less painful. Only when there is some level of certainty that the change will pay off (as fast as possible), people are willing to invest time and energy to the process of change. But if the payoff is too far in the future, too abstract, vague, or just requires too much energy, it is quite likely that nothing will happen. This is the reason why it is crucial for the leader/doctor/parent/spouse/friend/… to explain the personal benefits of the change as concrete as possible. In case the journey to the better will be long and hard, it is wise to break down the process to smaller steps which are explained and done one by one.

But how to do the change?

I have written an article earlier this year about doing the change. You can find it here: https://jukkaniittymaa.com/2017/03/01/credit-how-to-make-the-change/

And for those who have already read the article, here is the “C.R.E.D.I.T.” process in short:

To utilize C.R.E.D.I.T. make sure you use roadmaps. To make your own roadmap please check my earlier post at https://jukkaniittymaa.com/2017/03/12/how-to-build-a-roadmap-for-success/

Short list advice’s:

1. Plan your message is advance before announcing it publicly.
2. Also if possible, rehearse it few times – at least if the stakes are high and you really need to make the change happen.
3. If communicating the message via email or some other written format, try to get someone trustworthy to read and comment it.
4. Is there a possibility that people don’t get the benefits, or the reasons to change?
5. Am I being concrete enough, and sure that all know why the change is needed, how it is done and what is expected during and after the process.
   

My Personal Change On April 2017

For me the change has been quite easy through my life. Speaking of which, I am now at the brink of change. After working for over 2.5 years in the current company I’ve signed a new contract and will be soon starting as an account director in a very cool and creative marketing agency. This will be a new chapter in my career and I am super excited about it. I hope to be able to help new colleagues and clients to thrive even better. Often change is the thing that can boost personal growth, and that is something I am looking forward very much with this step. Wish me luck!