Change Process

On an ever-changing planet or in an ever-changing environment, every living creature either adapts or dies. We humans need to do the same. We constantly need to change and grow with our evolving environment – new relationships, jobs, careers, children, family, and all other circumstances.

“None of us knows what the next change is going to be, what unexcepted opportunity is just around the corner, waiting a few months or a few years to change all the tenor of our lives.” Kathleen Norris, Hands Full of Living

As I wrote in Only Human, “Personal change is a touchy subject…” This is because personal change usually affects something about our identity; our core being. However, “More powerful than just change is growth.”

Growth is change with a vision or purpose; “…growth is change in a positive and useful direction, toward a goal or desired endpoint.” There are very specific processes and steps to change.

The four steps to change:

1. Accepting the need to change
2. Knowing what needs to change
3. Knowing how to change
4. Finding a compelling reason to change

I like to use the example of the “Check Engine” light in your automobile when discussing change. When that light comes on, the first thing we need to do is Accept that something may be wrong. How many times do we keep driving hoping that the light will just go away by itself, with no intervention? Accepting the need to change implies that we are not perfect; there is room to grow.

Next, we need to plug in the Auto Diagnostic Code Scanner and see what it tells you is wrong, like the PCV valve needs replacing. Knowing What needs to change takes the mystery out of the problems in our life. Unfortunately, we do not have a Human Diagnostic Code Scanner, so it is a little more challenging. We need to look at the problems and challenges in our life as the Human Code Scanner output.

Oh good, we now know what is wrong. But to understand how to fix the PCV valve, we must consult with the automobile repair manual and have all the proper tools. Knowing How to change our life requires us to consult with the human nature repair manual – Only Human: Guide to our internal Human Operating System (iHOS).

Lastly, we need to have the understanding that if we do not change the PCV value soon that it may lead to complete engine failure and a very costly repair. Like with our automobile, we need a very Compelling Reason to change; we really need to want to change. We need to be driven to change and growth. This compelling reason keeps us on the growth route each day.

We want the good things that change and growth brings us, but resist the process of change. We need to embrace the change process for all the potential good that lies in the other side – improved health, better relationships, increased prosperity, and happiness.

NORBERT SOSKI