Plato Was Right!
It has been said that the one constant is change. Think about the amount of change even the most mundane day holds. We change our clothes; we change lanes when we drive; we change our minds; we even change positions as we sleep. Even those of us who say we dislike change have to deal with it constantly.
No one would challenge the thought that the world is constantly changing and demanding that we adjust to those changes, whether we put forth effort to embrace or resist the “new” ideas, technology, or ways. If you are not yet convinced, take a look at this video.
Dealing with change requires effort. Maybe that is why we resist it.
Blame it on the brain. That wonderful, three-pound mass housed in each of our heads has been busy creating neural pathways to make our thinking more streamlined. Neurons and their accompanying dendrites have been forging connections with other neurons based on how frequently we think certain thoughts and exhibit certain behaviors. This is how thinking patterns and habits are formed. It is like finding and frequenting a traffic route that gets you to your destination most quickly and without detours or delays.
And that is why change is sometimes hard. Making a change is like taking a different route to work; you can’t put the car on auto-pilot—you have to think differently.
It is popular thinking that it takes 21 days to change a habit. It is actually more like three to six months. Retraining the brain takes time. It also takes intention. Making a change or adjusting to a change that has been forced upon you doesn’t just happen.
How, then, do we manage change? Here are some ideas to consider:
- Start at the top. If you are a person of faith, start with prayer. Baring your heart before God actually helps you organize your thoughts and emotions. You are much better prepared to progress in the resulting peace.
- Identify any resistance you have to the change. List your complaints and honestly evaluate their validity. Is it really as undesirable or as formidable as it seems, or are your emotions, rather than your reasoning, running the show?
- Convince yourself. If the change is something you want to make, list all of the reasons why. Then identify the steps which will be needed. Finally, choose the first step and do
- Enlist some help. Whether the change is desirable or undesirable, we move along much faster if we have assistance and accountability. Think of ways others could encourage you to stay the course and ask them to help. Knowing that someone else is in your corner is motivating, and others are often gratified to be asked to walk alongside you as you progress.
- Reward your progress. Congratulate yourself for your efforts along the way. It’s ok to savor your successes and treat yourself to a fun activity or a cookie to celebrate.
We can’t avoid change, but we can become good managers of it. We can even pursue and embrace change, living in confidence of God’s goodness in every area of our lives. Change is sometimes the best thing that can happen to us.
“All is flux, nothing stays still” ― Plato