Go Fast (If You Really Want to Fail)
FIVE STEPS TO EFFECTIVE CHANGE
I’m sitting in my office looking out the window at a cloud-saturated sky watching storm clouds slowly meander their way across the horizon. As the thunder rolls and lightning strikes, I’m aware that this weather system will slowly drag its feet today and dump a deluge of much-needed rain on our parched, summer earth.
Only a few days ago, another completely different storm front blew across our area. That one didn’t move at a turtle’s pace. It came abruptly and vanished quickly dousing the land with sheets of rain causing a flash flood. The ground couldn’t absorb the torrential downfall which devastated crops and flooded basements (including mine).
When a change (even a drastically needed change) happens too rapidly, the result is often painful. Abrupt transitions don’t lead to the desired transformations we seek but tragedies we would prefer to avoid. This can be true regardless of whether the scenario pertains to personal lives, corporate cultures, or even cultural norms.
Recently, a friend confided in me about their mental health struggles. They shared how their doctor had put them on a low dose of antidepressants to help them manage the battles raging in their mind. While I am not a clinician, I was alarmed at the diagnosis and asked them some probing questions to learn more about the details.
I pushed and prodded with gentle pressure because they also told me they hated being on the medication. As is often the case, they felt as though the side effects were taking a greater toll on their mental health than they felt prior to the prescription. So in an effort to take control of their life, they stopped taking the medicine—cold turkey.
Sadly, the impact of their decision resulted in thoughts of suicide which also came like a storm that blew in hard and fast. In their desperation, they determined an abrupt change was needed which nearly cost them their life. Their legitimate need for change overwhelmed their cognitive process which lead to even worse confusion.
In the last few weeks, I have also dealt with the effects of changes to the mind-altering medication I take for my health disorders. In an approved plan of action (made in concert with my neurologist), I have been titrating down from my previous dosage. To say it has been a storm is an understatement, so I understand my friend’s challenge.
Even though I have a physician-approved plan for prescription changes, I still have to be aware of the potential ramifications of the medical modifications to my care. And as I’ve pondered this point in recent days, I have found the implications for all change to be quite profound and practical for any situation where change is needed.
In my life and leadership, I have never been disappointed by slowing down and taking more time to implement alterations. Whether it be personal progress or organization overhaul, deliberate deceleration has always served me well. I’ve often said I’d rather be one day late than one minute early—real renovation is not meant to be rushed.
I’m not sure what changes you’re considering at this moment in your life. Whether personal or professional, you’re going to be served best by pumping the brakes and pulling back the reins. When it comes to transitions that lead to true transformations, better late than never is a trustworthy axiom to follow (even when it’s frustrating).
Meteorological or medicinal, the principle of slowing down applies. And the same is true for all applications. If you’re contemplating a considerable change with the potential for a significant impact on your life or the lives of others, take more time. Even if you think you're dragging your feet like a stalled storm system, go even slower.
If you would rather not manage damage control, consider my caution. Cleaning up after a flood of any kind is always costly. In some rare situations, cold turkey is constructive, but I’ve rarely seen it as an effective remedy without relapse. So here’s a phase I encourage you to remember as I close, “The hurrier I go, the behinder I get.”
Authentic and lasting change always takes longer than you want. Slow and steady!
5 STEPS TO CHANGE
Dr. James O. Prochaska, professor of psychology and director of the Cancer Prevention Research Center at the University of Rhode Island, has studied this issue for more than thirty years and has applied his theory to many behaviors. He has found that people who have successfully made positive changes in their lives go through five specific stages: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance. I encourage you to contemplate his research for your own needs.
“Precontemplation is the stage at which there is no intention to change behavior in the foreseeable future. Many individuals in this stage are unaware or under-aware of their problems.” Some people call this phase “denial.”
“Contemplation is the stage in which people are aware that a problem exists and are seriously thinking about overcoming it but have not yet made a commitment to take action.” Many people in this stage can be described as ambivalent. They want to improve their blood sugar but are not yet ready to cut back on eating sweets.
The Preparation stage can be considered the information gathering and planning stage. The preparation stage is the most important. Fifty percent of the people who attempt behavior change and skip this stage will relapse within 21 days, according to Prochaska in his book, Changing for Good.
“Action is the stage in which individuals modify their behavior, experiences, or environment in order to overcome their problems. Action involves the most overt behavioral changes and requires considerable commitment of time and energy.” During the action stage, one implements the plans developed and information gathered in the preparation stage.
“Maintenance is the stage in which people work to prevent relapse and consolidate the gains attained during action. For addictive behaviors, this stage extends from six months to an indeterminate period past the initial action.”
