Tweet

Change Management Utilizes Beliefs Statements as Effective Tools for Change

Written by: Leanne Hoagland-Smith

Article Overview: To manage change requires rethinking our thoughts. One of the more popular tools is an affirmation statement. Yet, is this statement really an affirmation or is it something much more? Read how to better use this tool to realize the change management and self-improvement that you desire for your business or yourself.

Change Management Utilizes Beliefs Statements as Effective Tools for Change

Much is written about how to manage change or change the behaviors in the quest for professional and business excellence or self-improvement. One of the most often cited tools for change management is an affirmation statement. These are written statements, many times penned onto a 3 x 5 index card and exhibit the following criteria:

1.Begin in the first person singular – I
2.Stated in the present tense
3.Describe the change or person that you wish to become
4.Contain only positive words

Then, three times each day,

1.First thing in the morning right after awakening
2.Mid day
3.Last thing in the evening before going to sleep

You must take the following actions:

1.Hold the card (Physical)
2.Read the card (Visual)
3.Speak the written words out loud (Audio)
4.Feel the statement from your "gut" (Emotional)

The last action is the most important and why I no longer call these affirmation statements, but rather "belief statements." To change behavior begins by identifying the beliefs that are reflected through our attitudes and demonstrated by our behaviors.

For example, recently I began working with a new coaching client who was looking to build her real estate business. She acknowledged that she needed to attend more networking events to increase her contacts. As we explored what type of events to attend, she admitted that she really didn't like to attend networking events because she was more of an introvert than many people realized.

As the dialogue continued, I suggested that her reluctance to attend networking events many have a lot more to do with her own negative conditioning – "I don't really like to go to these events." – than she realized. She in essence was confirming a belief that because she was an introvert; she was uncomfortable at these events even though she knew that she needed to attend.

Quickly she realized that her beliefs of being an introvert were holding her back and that she could now begin to change her beliefs that would change her attitudes and therefore her behaviors. With the help of a 3x5 index card, she wrote the following belief statement: I love to meet people. This belief statement along with a written goal of attending at least 3 networking events each week will definitely help her increase her contacts and therefore her business results. As the coaching session continued, she took the opportunity to write several other belief statements.

Belief statements better define the core for any change. How many times have you heard someone say, "I affirm what you said."? For myself, I have probably only heard this once or twice during my entire lifetime.

Yet, how many times have we heard someone say, "I believe what you said."? This word, believe, is an intrinsic part of our daily thoughts and actions. So, doesn't it make more sense to call these positive statements of change belief statements?

If you are having change management challenges, then consider using Belief Statements as an effective tool to manage change better and quicker.

Related Articles
  Increase Sales By Adopting Superman Or Superwoman Sales Beliefs
  Big Bird’s Guide to Change Management - Learn your A, B, C, Ds
  Ten Beliefs that Must Be Overcome to Find A New Meaningful Career
  What's Holding You Back?
  Change Your Beliefs and Your Entire Life

Article Tags:



Related Forum Posts
Re: Spellcheck? - [quote="TheAnonymousMan":2f894q6j]When discussing the majority of people I would definitely say that most people hit the "Change" or "Ignore" button without thinking too much about the correct spelling of a word. All bosses are concerned about is getting the report to the Directors meeting on time.[/quote:2f894q6j] That probably depends on what the "majority" are trying to accomplish. I have word set to alert me about misspellings and grammatical problems, so I fix most as I go. But I also add names etc to the dictionary because I get tired of seeing the red and green squiggles when I know the info is right. If you're only going to click "Change" or "Ignore" then why bother to take the time to use spell check????? Business people that I work for want the info compiled in a timely manner and they want it right - which is fine because that's the way I strive to do any project. Sending out a memo, letter, report etc with obvious spelling and grammatical mistakes makes the person and the company look bad as far as I'm concerned. Shri
Do you believe in "Mantra" or "Mission Statem - In the Strategic Management course I'm currently taking, my group and I were supposed to come up with an improved mission statement for the organization we're analyzing or explain why the existing one doesn't need to be revised. However, business expert and author, Guy Kawasaki says "Forget mission statements; they're long, boring, and irrelevant. No one can ever remember them-much less implement them. Instead, take your meaning and make a mantra out of it. This will set your entire team on the right course" ("The Art of the Start" 3). Which do you use for your own businesses: Mantra, Mission Statements or neither? Thanks
HRPreneur - Hi everyone, I am new to the forum and I recently started my own Human Capital (HR) consulting firm called HRPreneur Inc. HRP focuses on making human capital a strategic differentiator for SME's. Below is a summary about HRP; Who We Are: HRP is a Human Capital consulting firm with 30 years of experience that becomes an extension of your company by providing a full array of services to help you create a highly engaged workforce focused on achieving strategic results in order to build a long lasting great company! Mission: HRP provides small and medium sized businesses a Strategic HR Business Partner to increase employee engagement, resulting in cost savings, increased productivity and results at an affordable rate! Vision: To inspire and warrant SME's reach their full competency! Cost Effectiveness: We provide over 30 years of experience at a fraction of the cost at a strategic executive HR business level You will save between 50% to 60% in costs per year on salary, bonus, benefits, training, office space alone We will provide you additional cost efficiencies through our services Services: • Strategic Human Resources Planning • Organizational Redesign • Change Management • Organizational Culture Development • Employee Engagement Programs • Leadership Assessment and Development • Compensation Design • Talent Acquisition • Assimilation and On-Boarding • Performance Management • Talent Management & Succession Planning • Human Resources Due Diligence • Human Resources Audit • Full Service HR Outsourcing
Re: e-Commerce and e-Payment providers - Hi GT It is only fairly recently that people in South Africa have been able to get full use of Paypal as we were only able at one time to make payments but not receive them. Fortunately this has now changed. I have received money through Global X Change for one of the affiliate programs that I promote and have found them pretty good as the money is normally transferred directly into my bank account within 2-3 days and I have not had any problems with them. MichelleJ
Re: Obama Wants Social Security for Illegals - [quote="Alan Mater":3kaa8sg4] Obama WILL make changes... but they're not the changes we as a country need or should look forward to.[/quote:3kaa8sg4] Sad but this is exactly how I feel about it. Change is coming - but unless I'm really wrong, it is not a change this country needs. Amazing how much a good speaker with a good speech writer can do. If you paid attention to the things he said "off script" - much of it is frightening. Chris


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Ways to Improve Your Landing Page Conversions

Good News Travels Fast

The new marketing question. Will they follow?

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.