Embrace Change Through Understanding its Process
Most of us don’t like change. We seem to like it even less if it means changing something about ourselves. We usually try to avoid change altogether because it will cost us something: time money, energy, comfort, or more. And even when we know deep down that it may be for the greater good, we still can’t help but cringe at the thought of change.
But what happens when the game, or even a life or business situation, isn’t going your way? Most likely, if our current efforts aren’t working in the heat of a game, we change our plays to employ a new strategy. The same is helpful in all facets of life – if it’s not working, change it.
Similar to the philosophy behind Pascal’s Wager, either change and possibly win or do nothing and lose. By understanding the process of change while strengthening your will to overcome your resistance to it, you will minimize the pain and eliminate the procrastination that often stops you from changing when you know it’s for the best. Here’s a roadmap on the process of change from “Less Than A Minute To Go”:
* Fear and anxiety: Change begins in your mind, but how does your mind do it? What enables your mind to figure things out and take the proper action? The first steps we take toward change often involve trying something new. Sometimes, we struggle with fear, in this case an emotion based on the false belief that something bad or uncomfortable is going to result from change. This is the reason for our resistance, or even the decision to stop change from happening entirely. This is why knowledge and reason are helpful.
* Knowledge and reason: Knowledge is simply the mental process of being aware of something and comparing or connecting it to something else. Reason is how you make good use of what you know. It enables you to infer and arrive at a sound conclusion by seeing the connection between one premise and another that you already know to be true. With these two components, you are prepared to act – “I know what it takes: this is reasonable. It’s safe. I can do this. I will do this.”
* The will to pursue: Even if you’re willing to enter the uncarted waters of change, it doesn’t mean it will be easy. When you are faced with an endless stream of negative thoughts, it’s not the one drop of water that gets you soaked, but rather the sudden downpour of a million droplets. In the same way, it’s not the one negative thought that holds you back so much as the endless harangue. The answer – exercise your will to pursue and persevere positive change.
No matter how difficult the circumstance, if you have the knowledge of what is objectively true, use your reason to make good use of what you know and exercise your will to put reason into action. It begins with the first small step, and then the next, and the next, and so on until you are doing what you know is true and right. If negative thoughts creep in along the way that preoccupy and distract you, remember who’s in charge and don’t sign for them.
