three fundamentals of change spfinal 7 2013 · three!fundamentals!of!change!!!!!...

Three Fundamentals of Change

©2015 Brian Braudis, All Rights Reserved., http://www.TheBraudisgroup.com Direct: 609-‐742-‐9929, [email protected]

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Introduction

Change is all around us. In fact it is the one constant that we can count on. But in most cases we do not seize opportunities to Change. We merely bounce around in response to the Change that is being thrust upon us. The most common obstacle that I see to successful Change is focus. We become distracted around the energy, obstacles and effort that is necessary for successful Change. This is a time and energy sink and we end up “spinning our wheels.” I wrote this paper to shed light on a focused well-‐led Change effort and to offer you a plan other than ”reacting as things appear.” I hope you will find it useful.



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In its simplest form, Change is taking your life/business in a new direction based on your actions. A deeper look reveals an opportunity for bold reimagining, rethinking, recreating, and reinventing…. you, your business, your management team, and your leadership.

You have advanced, progressed in business and career and your consciousness has evolved. You have undoubtedly gained wisdom and the old ways of doing things no longer fit with who you are now. Yesterday’s approach has simply lost relevance. You’re ready for Change bold Change, a metamorphosis—caterpillars don’t become better caterpillars they become beautiful butterflies!

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“No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.” Einstein

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• New problems provide new opportunities to usher in Change. • Opportunity to take life/ business to the next level. • An opening to raise the bar; create a tide that floats all boats.

The Change Process: You discover an ambition or imagine a vision for yourself, your

business or your career and you look into what it may entail. Some things seem promising so you try a few things—maybe a, workshop, webinar, an online training course or a telecourse. You research articles, read books and attempt new things. You try what was explained in the articles, webinars or training and things often don’t go as they were described and this leads to roadblocks and soon after personal struggles begin to appear...and you stop.

In your business environment, you explore something new and team members and managers show their discomfort and intolerance for the transition and all this adds to your uneasiness with transition…...and you stop.

It’s easy to get excited in the beginning stages of Change when we realize an ambition and know we have potential. But when it comes to



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harnessing ambition and potential to concrete action plan and creating momentum toward Change things get a little foggy, like a new pilot trying to fly with instruments alone, and we often end up stuck in transition.

This immobilization creates a tension—knowing you have potential, while living in the monotony of status quo drains your energy.

You and or your organization are not alone. There is a "business as usual" tendency to jump at the latest tricks, technology and tools alone to attempt to force Change. Often other key areas are overlooked or ignored.

How do we go about Change? A focused and well-‐led approach tends to produce the best results.

What do I need to do today to get to Change tomorrow? Give attention to three fundamentals: 1. STRATEGY: Make your idea or your dream of Change concrete with a strategy or a plan. It’s easier to hit a target you can see. a. What is your current state?

Examine where you are; give consideration to your experience, capabilities, strengths and core values. Ask

? Where you are now ? Where you want to go? ? What are the first steps that will create movement?

* Scrutinize What strengths or gaps exist between where you currently are and where you want to go?

Strengths, along with things you are already doing well are the low hanging fruit. Gaps are not nearly as easy to identify or address. Some gaps will be glaring. Others may require extensive questioning and exploration.

We develop and grow by emphasizing our strengths rather than



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trying to correct our weaknesses. Since we often cannot see all of our strengths the unbiased,

nonjudgmental strategic partnership of a coach is invaluable to this process. What will come to light is your potential and the makings of an action plan that will help you implement your strategy.

* Initiate Change by harnessing action to your plan and your ambition.

Directing your efforts toward the strengths identified should be designed as an open-‐minded approach to action. Courageously face the challenges that arise (daily) and generate “learning actions” that will spawn knowledge and insight.

Apply a reality-‐based, non-‐judgmental analysis of results and outcomes that are generated from your actions in service of what was identified in the previous stages. Trust that any action that is different will create new and different understanding, experience and knowledge, small in the immediate and larger and deeper over a protracted period of time. Change is a process—clarity over time rather than instant illumination. What you are doing is creating the future right now!

This process is simple and easy to understand but easy to understand does not mean easy execution. The “infomercial” is a classic example of what not to expect.

“For an unbelievably small investment you will experience a revolutionary change in your life and your business. Our easy and fun to use system will bring you amazing results immediately increasing personal effectiveness, creating a surge in profits, and expanding business.”

Change requires real effort. This is not for sissies.



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2. MINDSET This second fundamental is perhaps more important than the first.

The mindset you adopt is more of an “influencer” of your power to Change than anything else.

If your mindset originates from a place of realistic acknowledgement you will experience easy access to energy, creativity, increased productivity, better relationships, an orientation toward solutions and greater overall satisfaction. Your belief that POWERFUL and BOLD CHANGE is possible will make it probable.

If on the other hand, you adopt a mindset that Change is full of pitfalls, problems and struggles; this denial approach will evacuate your energy. You simply will not have access to your power or your creativity (your upward spiral). It is very difficult, if not impossible to perform in such a way that is contrary to your self-‐expectations. You simply cannot outperform your mindset!

3. PERSONAL LEADERSHIP

The plan is your strategic leadership. However the real power of any endeavor is with the one, the individual, the “person leading.” Personal leadership, has to do with strength, will power, resiliency, responsibility and above all ownership—

The real truth is YOU control the power of action and the consequences of inaction.

At the core of personal leadership are choice, initiative and energy. You choose to begin, to engage, to seize and commandeer Change with vigor.

Personal leadership for the individual is summed up with belief and “ownership” that only you can Change the world you created.

When these elements are aligned in pursuit of your carefully articulated Change effort and motivated by the right mindset and personal leadership, you will empower Change rather than succumb to the “wish for Change” story.

The wish for Change story goes like this. “I’m really busy now, I have



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this big project, I am overwhelmed and I can’t add anything right now. I will be finished soon and then, I’ll change. Soon it will happen for me. Everything will be cleaned up and I’ll be free to take the time and focus on getting in shape, losing weight, taking that class I’ve been talking about, looking for my dream job—the Change effort that is so needed.”

I have learned that “cleaned up, calmness, less busy” never happens,

it never comes. Tomorrow, two weeks, next month are typically no more tranquil or less crazy than today. The pattern of claiming to wait for a calm, less busy time is precisely what holds us back.

The fact is, the best time to start; to initiate, to begin is right

now! If you want to change anything do it now. Begin! Start with a first step something small you are prepared to do now. Create momentum that will make your new beginning great.

Change is good! Yeah!......You first

Brian Braudis is a human performance strategist, consultant, coach and speaker. He is known for dramatically increasing personal and organizational performance.

three fundamentals of change spfinal 7 2013 · three!fundamentals!of!change!!!!!...

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