Build Personal Change Readiness
Initiating change requires understanding human behaviour.
Psychologist Jonathan Haidt’s analogy likens decision-making to a rider (rational thought), an elephant (emotions), and the path (external factors).
Envision the rider guiding an elephant on a path; the rider guides, but the powerful elephant and path both play vital roles.
Recognising this interplay is crucial for lasting change. Explore logic, emotion, and environment—the change readiness essentials.
Crafting a Rational Foundation: Guiding the Rider’s Logic
Initiating change effectively demands a rational foundation, appealing to the rider’s logical thought process.
Set out your theory of change, articulating the why, what and how. Give the logical reasons for change, break down benefits, and address concerns head-on.
This approach guides rational decision-making, clarifying logical reasoning and forming the bedrock for a purposeful approach to change.
- Identify bright spots or positive areas in your life for personal change. Recognise what leads to success and replicate those actions, providing a roadmap for change.
- Point to the destination and set SMART goals to define your destination. Clearly articulate precise aspirations, creating a compass for your change journey.
- Script critical moves for success. Minimise uncertainty with a structured approach to personal change. Identify pivotal actions for reaching objectives.
Deepening Motivation: Fueling the Elephant’s Drive
To enhance motivation, shift focus towards fueling the emotional side of the process.
Vividly imagine the positive impact of change, linking it to personal values and framing it as a motivating challenge.
Cultivating an emotional connection sustains a commitment to change, encouraging perseverance through obstacles.
- Envisage potential futures to build a sense of urgency. Envision the worst-case scenario and articulate the consequences of inaction. Contrastingly, imagine the ideal future with its positive outcomes. Embrace the emotions evoked by these scenarios to sharpen focus and motivate action.
- Build habits to shrink the change and reduce cognitive load. Break significant goals into smaller, achievable routines. Celebrate small victories to maintain motivation and create a positive feedback loop.
- Link to values. Connect desired change to your identity and values. Cultivate an emotional connection, transcending cost-benefit analysis for intrinsic motivation.
Designing Supportive Spaces: Shaping the Path for Change
Shaping the environment is paramount for successful change.
Design accessible paths toward change, eliminate barriers, and foster a supportive network.
Intentionally shaping your environment ensures a smoother journey, enhancing your ability to navigate and embrace the transformative process confidently.
- Use fences and spaces to support change. Arrange the space so positive cues and tools are accessible. Whether they are triggers for action or support resources to simplify your task, make sure everything you need is right where you need it. Create barriers between you and distractions to stay focused and on task. Small changes can profoundly impact behaviour.
- Use Tools and technology to streamline your path. Use habit-tracking apps, online learning platforms, and smart devices for efficient time management. Enhance your support system with social support apps.
- Identify friends and accomplices that help and hinder. Share your aspirations, insights and progress with friends and allies to build a supportive network. Be mindful of the influence of individuals who may unintentionally act as accomplices, potentially derailing your efforts.
To find out more about how to up build change readiness reach out to us via info@soji.com.au.
Photo by Karim MANJRA on Unsplash
