Have you ever started reading an article or book and felt like it was speaking directly to you? Almost like the author had a visual into your life and was describing things that were very specific to you and your circumstances.

We are into the first week of March and it seems just like yesterday we celebrated the New Year. Are your actions consistently moving you in a direction to make this a successful year?

We recently came across an article by John Maxwell on “Change” and found it useful particularly if you are stuck and looking to get over the hump by making a change.

Change Thinking

There are several qualities he mentioned in the article that you should consider while contemplating being a “change” agent. They are:

  1. Consider the Conditions: Is your change worthwhile and possible? Is it worth going through the effort to make this change? Can this change really be done or is it possible?
  2. Build a Coalition: How will this change impact your team? Have  you sought the approval of key stakeholders or customers to determine their perspective? Make sure your leadership team buys into the change so that everyone is aligned strategically.
  3. Communicate Urgency: Make sure everyone understands the regret and discomfort they will experience in avoiding this change. Get things moving quickly to avoid the natural tendency to resist the change.
  4. Champions Rewards: Serve your team by appealing to their desires. Personalize the benefits and rewards of change for each team member.
  5. Risks Failure: Release the failure FEAR (False Evidence Appearing Real) in making this change. Risk happens whenever a business owner achieves success so understand and accept it.
  6. Initiates Action: Be committed and follow through with the change. Being decisive in your actions will inspire your team.
  7. Endures Criticism: There will always be someone who will disagree with the change(s) you are proposing. Accept this criticism and endure if it’s truly what is best for you and your organization.
  8. Celebrates Wins: Recalibrate often by looking back and celebrate small victories in making this change. This should keep the energy moving positively and motivation factor high.
  9. Change your thinkingPuts Setbacks in Perspective: Challenges and setbacks can take there toll on you and your team. If an when this happens be vocal about discussing the circumstances to get you and your team to refocus and keep things moving.

This list is not at all comprehensive but the qualities are essential in transformation.

Now that two months of this year have already passed us by, do you need to make a change (…did you know research data shows many people have dropped their New Year resolutions– already in favor of commonality)? Change is inevitable so the key is to drive it rather then merely trying to survive it.