Conquer These 4 Barriers and Move Your Business and Life Forward
By John Baker
The business organism must grow to survive. What is the miracle that stimulates growth? It’s called change.
Change is the sharp stick that moves us out of our comfort zones, and forces us, as George Lucas would say, “To do dangerous and scary things.” Change creates opportunity for growth. But why do we resist change so much? Why is it that when change happens oftentimes our first reaction is to dig in our heels?
Asking yourself constructive questions allows you to overcome the following four barriers of change:
Barrier #1: Fear. New things threaten both old practices and tightly held beliefs. When we feel threatened, we feel fear, which affects us both physically and emotionally. And, if we perceive the change as personally targeted, our sense of fear magnifies. Peter Senge said, “People don’t resist change. They resist being changed.” Once we feel the “victim” of change, our perspective becomes narrow and self-centered: That’s why people going through change frequently seem self-absorbed. “This change is all about me.” In this state of mind, our response to change is often irrational.
But fear can be managed. Using reasoning skills, positive self-talk, and other support systems — encouraging friends and supportive family — we can achieve our goals despite the presence of fear. To confront fear and overcome the first change barrier, ask yourself:
• Why fear change if it leads to success just around the bend?
• What are my talents, strengths, and contributions that survive the change?
• What value can I add? How can I be of service to someone else?
Barrier #2: The “What If” Game. When things begin to change, we waste an enormous amount of time looking back and reminiscing on the question of “What if…?” What if I hadn’t made that terrible career move? What if I had gotten my degree? What if I invested in better ventures? What if I had been a better parent or spouse? The “what if” game is like a big penalty box, paralyzing players from moving forward and taking action. To stop playing this game, fill your mind up with forward-looking, solution-centered questions.
• What positive effect on my life does going back to school deliver?
• What favorable outcome would result by committing more time to an important priority?
• What resources are available to me?
• Where do I go for help? Where can I help out?
Barrier #3: Labels. So you’ve lost your job and you’re no longer the VP at Widget Inc. Your role has been outsourced. Your corner office is gone. Your secretary is gone, too. You feel defeated by the events the world has thrown at you. But wait: You’re not your job. You’re not the corner office or the title on your business card, or the plaques on the wall. These are just labels. You were an effective, happy, productive person before you acquired these accoutrements, and that hasn’t changed. You still have skills and experience that serve you well. Your labels control you like a dog tethered to a tree: It’s easy to confuse your reality with the length of the leash. Let go of the labels and be the CEO of your life. Ask yourself:
• What are my core competencies and how can they serve someone else?
• Where do I find value in life, and where do I want to spend time?
• How do I enhance my existing talents and be more useful to others?
Barrier #4: Lack of Focus. Change clouds perceptions like a suddenly shaken snow globe. It seems that a clear course of action is needed, but swirling information and too many variables confuse the situation and push resolution just out of reach. Establishing an action plan is a great strategy during times of change, but oftentimes, poor execution hamstrings our best planning. The problem: not enough focus. Focus means having greater impact on fewer things. You cannot execute without focus. Those who survive change know that to deliver on essential goals; you have to decide to fail on non-crucial tasks. Ask:
• Where am I going to fail in order to maximize my chances of winning?
• What is imperative? What do I absolutely have to do to succeed?
• What is the very first thing I need to do? When do I need to get it done?
When change happens to you, the questions you ask yourself are as important as the answers you seek. Some folks ask themselves, “What’s to become of me?” Those who are successful ask, “What will I become?’ HBM
John Baker is the author of the newly-released book, “READY Thinking — Primed for Change.” As a leadership expert, speaker, and founder of READY Thinking, LLC, John has helped hundreds of organizations achieve success by adopting a practical framework of thinking during times of change and opportunity. For more information, e-mail JohnBaker@ReadyThinking.com or visit www.ReadyThinking.com.
