"A mistake is simply another way of doing things." --Katharine Graham
Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard
Quick Review - we know that change according to the Heath Brothers will require:
Directing the Rider
Motivating the Elephant
Shaping the Path
Motivation is like Motivating an Elephant. When we decide to workout, many of us go really strong at the gym for a time and then we just lose interest. Other times, we find we just can't get a clear focus and wander around in circles or are lost in the jungle.
In the work world that wandering is often heard with "I've been here all day and haven't completed anything." or "If only I had my desk cleared off, then I could get some work done." or "It just takes forever to get anything done here." These are clear signs the elephant is not motivated - the rider may be but not the elephant.
To get motivated, we need to find the emotion or feeling. Years ago, my sister did a science fair project where she timed a drip in the bathroom sink as it filled a gallon and then did the math to figure out how many gallons are wasted in a week and what that cost. By the way, an average leak is about 30 gallons a day. Just imagine what 30 gallons would look like on your lunchroom table? That is what causes emotion - visualization.
If you need to visualize losing 20 pounds, going to the grocery store and hefting a 20 pound turkey and walking around with it really will let your heart know what it feels like to carry an extra 20 pounds.
If wasted paper is a problem in your office, displaying a day's worth of waste on a table for everyone to see is important.
Now that you have an emotion, you need to shrink the change to something manageable. If elephants are spooked by a mouse just imagine what a huge goal could do.
Right now, if your desk needs cleaning before you can do the most important job on your task list today - just do 5 Minutes of cleaning! That five minutes will help you feel a sense of accomplishment and realize that each 5 minutes will lead to a clean desk faster than just desiring it clean. Remember when your mom would say, "Just eat two more green beans and you can be excused." It worked for you then, it can work now.
Most business goals or desired outcomes are too big, in fact, most projects are too big - breaking down a project into small bites will help get it done and often find opportunities to delegate. They are not bad goals, they just need to be in managable pieces.
Finally we want to grow the people by getting each person to identify and understand the need for this change and growth. If people believe this is important to their boss, their leader, and the health of the company, the right people will be ready to jump in and follow.
Next Week - Shaping the Path!
Enjoy your week!
Linda Fayerweather
http://www.changinglanes.biz/
Read the First Chapter or Buy the book Switch
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Monday Morning Motivators is a short burst of business tips you can use through out the week. Our reporters, authors and correspondents strive to present insights to make your business shine.
