In both the work we do with a wide range of organisations assisting them with automatic enrolment all the way to the work we do with individuals approaching their retirement there is only thing which stays constant….the fact that things always change.

I recently wrote on the impact of change and how change has impacted the world of work and in particular the “business of advice” over the past few years.

However I’ve invited a guest blogger to talk a little more about Change.

Janice B Gordon is a Business Growth Consultant, Mentor and Author. She specialises in creating business growth and creating positive change within businesses and with the leaders who work within them.  

You can find out more about Janice’s work here or here…

If Change is Inevitable, How do you Carve out your Own Path.

What is your Condition for Change?

Winston Churchill said “To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often”, I do not think many people would argue with the wisdom of the great leaders, however, is it human nature to resist change?

Morty Lefkoe states all people experience:

• Resistance to change?
• Fear of making a mistake or failing?
• A concern with the opinion of others?

“However, they are not inherent in human nature at all.  All these psychological responses are the result of beliefs and conditioning formed early in our lives.  Thus, all can be totally eliminated when the relevant beliefs and conditionings are eliminated.”

Life is a series of frequent changes, some changes are welcomed but others are not, in order to move forward, develop and grow, you need to adopt coping strategies and new experiences which will eliminate old conditioning.

Sometimes you need to create space to attract what you want and/or need, it is said you have to close a door to allow another door to open and a new phase to begin.

It is not what happens, but what you choose to think about what happens that affects your feelings, behaviours and conditioning.

The point is not to join the race for change but to acknowledge that change is inevitable and to carve out your own path, which will allow you to develop, grow and fulfil your wants and needs.

Recognise it is only the unknown you fear, your beliefs and conditioning can keep you in a fixed position.

The unknown is just a starting point; everything you do at some point was an unknown.

You did not know you could ride a bike until you started, you did not know you could manage a tem or nurture a child until you started.

Perfecting your skill and behaviours takes frequent evaluation and modification. Change develops by changing often.  The fear of change is often bigger than the change itself, but the fear of change is not to be ignored.

As a Cranfield School of Management Consultant much of my work involves delivering change management programmes.

Whether I work with large global businesses or support SMEs with business growth strategies my starting point is no one size fits all. I could teach the use of key tools and strategies but unless I find the relevant starting point for that individual and/or business, the strategies will not be adopted because the belief and conditioning will resist change.

In my book Business Evolution, I introduce some of my experiences which motivated my changes and the benefits to my life and business. As well as talking about some of the strategies which allow us to adapt and even embrace the changes in a rapidly changing world.

Change is not a mechanical process it is an emotional journey and we are all on a different path. What is your condition for change?