Change

The man who never alters his opinion is like standing water, and breeds reptiles of the mind. ~William Blake

He who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery. ~Harold Wilson

What you have become is the price you paid to get what you used to want. ~Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic's Notebook, 1960

Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights. ~Pauline R. Kezer

Every beginning is a consequence - every beginning ends some thing. ~Paul Valery

Change is often met with much resistance because it creates a sense of anxiety and can often lead to misunderstandings and disagreements. The participants of changing behaviors need to understand that change is a chance to grow and develop in healthy ways. Change is and can be a positive thing but sometimes change does not mean doing things differently it means chanign our attitudes and beliefs.

Change is not always viewed as a positive thing and the biggest challenge will be to embrace the challenges ahead and see that even if the changes do not lead to positive outcomes at least you will be challenged to think in different ways. The core of the matter is changing behavior which is done by appealing emotional connections and reframing thought patterns. When moving towards a goal then resistance can be minimized when emotional connections are made. Change is not static so keeping this in perspective can be an important factor in the end.

Resistance is defined by Alvin Zander, an early researcher on the subject, as “behavior which is intended to protect and individual from the effectives of real or imagined change”. Others define resistance as any form of behavior that maintains the status quo when faced with pressure to alter the status quo. Resistance is not simply a refusal to participate but it is a cognitive state that is driven by negative perceptions. These negative thoughts can be overcome by understanding resistance and overcoming fears and frustrations. Resistance is oftentimes not an intentional defiance but a perceived threat.

In summation, change is an active agent and should be embraced with the understanding that not all changes will be successful and sometimes you will fail. Mistakes and failures are part of life so you just have to pick yourself up and try again, reframing your thought patterns with the newfound knowledge. Forward thinkers are those who are willing to accept a degree of tolerance and pay the price of efficiency to learn new skills and techniques. Change is a part of the culture so if you’re not willing to adapt and overcome challenges then you will remain static in life….and is that truly living?