It is at about this time of year we think about New Year’s resolutions, new beginnings, and change.
So it is timely to do a seasonal announcement and think ahead for 2013 and what changes we want to bring into our lives, our businesses and ourselves.
I’ve been reading Bradley Wiggins’ book My Time which has reinforced in my mind my ideas about Managing Change and what it takes to achieve successful and sustainable change.
I’ve seen lots of celebrity challenges and talent competitions and they all seem to say something like “I’d do anything for …..” The idea is that they would be prepared to do something in the future in return for a guarantee of success.
It seems to me however that athletic success is often about what you are prepared to give-up, compromise, or sacrifice whether that is time, money, food, alcohol, friends or family. There is a price to be paid for the journey and the rewards only come after the sacrifice, the effort and the journey is complete.
For example: There is less gained by doing more exercise if you are not prepared to change a bad diet.
I believe that real change can only come when both approaches are taken. “I’m prepared to sacrifice…” demands immediate action to abandon bad behaviours and restraining factors and “I would do anything for…” sets the ground for new behaviours and attitudes.
The challenge for Change Managers and Leaders must be to harness the skills, talent, drive, passion and enthusiasm of the person or people and direct that to a unifying and shared goal.
Motivation is the fuel for change, and a unifying and shared goal offers a direction, but we need signposts and milestones to keep us on course. Being clear about the sacrifices avoid U-turns or subversion and reminders of our commitment in terms of behaviours and milestones keeps us moving toward the goal.
So with the New Year almost upon us now is the time to be your own Change Agent and think about abandoning bad behaviours and restraining factors, and which new behaviours and attitudes to adopt. Then write down the signposts and milestones for your journey. Perhaps put them on the fridge door, or by the front door, maybe in your diary or your screen-saver. Make the plan big, bold, and simple.
Most significantly make the destination something really worth 365 days effort!
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