Your efforts to improve yourself can be made much easier by using
a sequential seven-step personal-change process.
- Recognize the need. Accept the fact that remaining as is is not an option. You tap into energy when you see that there are more disadvantages associated
with the status quo than there are advantages. You want the energy associated
with the disadvantages to be so intense that it pushes you to change.
- Accept responsibility for your behavior. Pointing fingers to avoid responsibility seems to be the rule rather than the exception. Instead, follow Ghandi’s
advice: Be the change you wish to see in this world. Adopt the mantra, “I’m
responsible to improve my performance—regardless of what others might be
doing.”
- Know the desired behavior. As you would expect, people need to have a crystal-clear picture of what is expected to improve performance. Everybody is from the “show
me” state (Missouri); therefore, a behavioral blueprint allows the desired
behaviors to be seen and repeated.
- Demonstrate willingness to change. You create intense energy when you realize that the advantages of implementing the desired behavior far outweigh those of
remaining the same. You want the advantages to be such a strong magnet that you
are literally pulled to use the desired behaviors to overcome any resistance associated
with the change.
- See yourself change. What you do is regulated by what you see yourself doing, so you need to see yourself implementing the desired behavior. Ultimately, your
behavior will tell others what you see yourself doing.
- Change through practice. Seek multiple opportunities to practice change—in a classroom, through visual imagery, and realizing everyday is a practice day.
The more you practice the behavior, the faster you learn.
- Seek feedback for continuous learning. Monitor your performance and continually learn from your successes and setbacks. Just as the blindfolded marksman depends
upon feedback to hit the target, you must take advantage of the power of immediate
feedback to continuously guide your performance.
This personal-change process is an effective way to increase your
personal motivation and ability to change. This tool works when you work the tool. PE
