We all know there are habits we have, things we do, and processes we live with that require change. We all know that everything about us and our business is not exactly how we want them to be. We resist. Why? What is it about change that stops us from changing?
Albert Einstein said, “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
We all know this as a fact. We still resist change. Why? Here are three areas we might examine within ourselves. Each of us might take a few moments in our busy schedules to review and reflect if we see ourselves in one or more of these categories. Ever hear the statement, “They couldn’t fight their way out of a paper bag!” Can you? Will you?
- Analysis Paralysis
- SBO – Shiny Bright Objects
- Fear of Failure
Analysis Paralysis
One of the classic fall back patterns regardless of you being a creative or analytical thinker is to invent your need to review and over analyze your options and choices. It is not to say one should not review and conduct some due diligence. It is quite another to have the need and to actually know something must be done and to then hold up a solution for three years while you review the options available in the universe. It is potentially more damaging to not try out some of the available solutions and find out through trial and error that they are not suitable, then to continuously review options and do nothing. The review of the problem and the potential solutions should be conducted with input from others. If you are a solopreneur, seek guidance or assistance from a trusted business associate or hire a consultant to offer advice and bounce ideas off of. The action of continual analysis paralysis is due to our avoidance of change.
SBO – Shiny Bright Objects
The businesses we run and the relationships we have are the highway of our lives. When we permit distractions to enter into our business or our relationships we are going off of the highway. This type of exit ramp distraction is done by large corporations, small companies, entrepreneurs and in fact may take place in all of our lives as well. We see something that either appears to provide some magical solution, solve some need or just looks really cool. We spend our time, effort, and money on this SBO. All during this period we are not paying attention to the things that really should matter most to us. What is happening is the business or our relationship is taking a nose dive while we are intoxicated with our new toy. Sometimes we do not even see the crash until it happens. Other times we recognize something is not right, yet we cannot pull ourselves back on track. When we are distracted often and find ourselves not facing the reality, it is due to our avoidance of change. The change we know we need.
Fear of Failure
The documentation exists, it does not need to be repeated here. Albert Einstein, Steve Jobs and even Derek Jeter all have one thing in common. They all failed more than they succeeded. We all have this fear. It is the fear of failing. What will our families and friends think of us? How will we respond to those who will say, “See, I told you so!” This fear of failure pervades our subconscious and unless it is overcome, we will not embrace change or take any risks. We must have the ability to be aware of our fear and then overcome it as we move forward with our ideas and our changes.
In summary, if you find yourself in one of these areas or another area and are stuck, try to replace the word change with ‘evolve’. See if as you ‘evolve’ it becomes easier for you to move forward.
Mitch Tublin is a certified personal and executive coach who lives in Stamford,CT.
Fear of failing is the primary reason people do not take action, I’m convinced. Great summary!
Sue,
Right, they just become frozen.
Mitch,
Yes, FEAR is a big factor in keeping people stuck. I believe it’s the underlying factor behind Analysis Paralysis, SBO – Shiny Bright Objects and Fear of Failure — it all starts with overcoming fear itself and then stepping into courage.
Write on!~
Lisa Manyon
Lisa,
Strong belief in oneself and their ability to be successful is the key.
Fear is such a powerful success stealer. It’s not that we won’t have fear – it’s an emotion given to us for protection – however, we let that emotion take over and instead of protecting us, it’s preventing us. Preventing us for moving forward, taking risks and pursuing goals.
Stay RADICAL,
Doreen
Doreen,
Everyone has some fear. The ability to control our fear and not have it control you makes all the difference.
Love the simplicity and yet power of a simple word change to evolve
Heidi,
Breakthrough!
You’ve hit some nails on the head here Mitch with success stealing fear and SBO issues. Really sitting and FEELING the difference between the words change and evolve is quite powerful. Thanks.
Sheila,
More people stuck in their fear need to marinate in their power.
Fear of failure! I’m such a perfectionist that I struggle with this. Great reminder to push past the fear, and that failure makes us stronger, better in the end.
Carmen,
The more we fail, the closer we are getting to success.
Mitch – you are so right. It is almost as if people have a build in change resistance mechanism. We just don’t like it! I also love Einstein’s quote that you reference.
Great article, and 3 excellent reasons why we resist. Thank you!
Tommi,
When people resist, they need a little voice in their head saying, “Stop It!”.
Mitch
Another post about fear! I’m so glad you’re writing about this topic, because when we address and overcome our fears and worries we can move on to greater successes.
I too am pleased to be offering tools to overcome fear – nutritional and biochemical approaches.
Together we can get folks moving forward with joy, calm and confidence
Trudy
Trudy,
Big time fan of your work.
Fear is a big obstacle in creating change. I think another one is simply not being committed to making change. There’s a difference between wanting something and making a decision to to do what it takes to get it.
Tiffany,
Action, it is all about taking the action steps toward our goals.
Great points, Mitch!
And, I’ll add one more: we are designed to maintain the status quo. That is the ENTIRE JOB of your subconscious — to keep you “safely” where you are.
So, when you desire change you have to push through the tricks your subconscious will pull to keep you where you are.
THANKS!
With love,
Katherine
Katherine C. H. E.
Author, Be True Rich
Katherine,
Affirmations and working with a great coach will get people through change as well.
All three of these reasons are spot on. So much of what keeps people back in their businesses is just a mental thing. Great post Mitch!
Kiyla Fenell
Kiyla,
As Yogi Berra said, “90 percent of our problems are 100 percent mental.”
Mitch – I see these three things demonstrated over and over with some of our web design clients! 1) The fear of making the wrong decision and the fear of getting out there and being judges causes them to delay and put off making the decision to take their new site live, 2) Bright shiny objects — all the things thy could add to their website — keep them from moving forward, and 3) Second guessing themselves and their decisions, second guessing our expertise, and researching/analyzing things to death often cause them to either never get started, or never finish!
Jennifer,
I can only imagine! In your work this would definitely be an area where these would come out.