Change Is a Life or Death Matter

In the May, 2005 issue of Fast Company magazine, the lead article was entitled "Change or Die". It contained some pretty scary statistics. It seems that over 90% of all people who have been told that their medical condition requires them to change their personal habits -- or else -- either fail to change them at all, or, within a short time, revert back to their old habits.
Research is showing that, in order for real change to occur, it must be presented to the implementer in terms that are "simple, easy to identify with, emotionally resonant, and evocative of positive experiences." Furthermore, continues the article, the change effort needs to be "positive, inspiring, and emotionally resonant." The goal is to bring reflection, emotional intelligence (EQ) and even spiritual intelligence (SQ) into arenas where, until recently, they were at best suspect, and, at worst unwelcome.
Finally, the article presents data that shows that gradual, incremental change just doesn't work. Real (that is: purposeful) change requires something more. Change that works, change that "sticks" is most often what we call "quantum change". Quantum change is what shakes us out of our comfort zone and our habitual routines; it catapults us into a new vision, a new direction, and a new way of life.
It’s a fine thing to have these deep thoughts and to see new connections among the disparate facets of our perception. It’s exhilarating to experience new realizations for the first time. When that happens in our heads (or in our hearts) it may cause tiny ripples around us in the pool of our lives. That’s not enough. That’s not the earthquake we call quantum change. We all have insights that can be transformative, but what can we do to leverage them to truly make a difference?
The first lesson that anyone who wishes to create purposeful change needs to learn is that change is not an option. Try as you might, you can’t stop it or turn it back. The one constant in life is change, so we have to work with it rather than in opposition to it. In addition, the starting point for changing the world is changing yourself. That’s where you have to start if you want to become an effective person and a successful professional. It’s not begging the question; and it’s useless to ask impatiently, “When will I get to do make some real changes?” I assure you: the quantum changes start when you start changing yourself.


Change Is a Life or Death Matter - To learn more about this author, visit Les Brown's Website.

Like this article? Share it with your friends

E-Mail | Print | More

Related Articles
Life and Death
	"Life is a highly contagious, incurable disease with a 100% mortality rate."
Sales Query Answer
	A new subscriber emailed me this plea for help.
Vision: A Means to Navigating Life
	Create a vision of the future. Plan out the journey using goals. Accept change and continue your journey to your vision.
The River of Change
	When change flows like a river into your life you can either go with the flow or slowly sink...
Hey, What if the Founder Gets Hit By a Bus? Nada
	One of the questions investors in early-stage companies -- both private and public -- often ask is this: What if the founder gets hit by a bus? It is, of course, an investor's way of saying, "How much of this compan...

---

Related Forum Posts
	Second Life Millionaire
	Who hates cold calling?
	Re: Charge what you're worth
	Re: Spellcheck?
	Your dream website already exists!
	Second Life hype near peak?
	YouTube Profile
	Second Life has 1.5 million users