Change is scary.
Deliberately stepping out of our comfort zones is scary.
We feel the fear – but sometimes we do it anyway. Why? How?
What we do is that we prepare and the feeling of fear becomes diluted with a feeling of excitement – and when the balance is right we do it.
So what are the tell-tale signs?
Excitement is a positive emotion – so when we imagine the future and feel excited we unconsciously smile and we feel better afterwards. We want to share our excitement. We tell others that we are looking forward to the future.
Like birthdays, and holidays, and a new house and a new job. New stuff is exciting when WE decide we want it.
Fear comes from being forced to change and from not having the opportunity to prepare.
Fear happens when change is sprung on us unexpectedly by chance or by someone else.
Fear is a negative emotion and we feel bad afterwards so we avoid it.
So if thinking about the future is dominated by a feeling of fear then we resist and we prevaricate and we get labelled as obstructive, and difficult and cynical.
And that makes the fear worse.
So the way to make the future feel exciting is:
1. Set a clear and constant win-win-win purpose.
2. Show that it is possible by sharing examples.
3. Show that it is achievable by sharing the step-by-step process.
4. Provide the opportunity for preparation.
5. Include those that the change affects to plan their own transition.
6. Ensure that those affected know their part in the process.
And do not underestimate how long this takes and how much repetition, and listening, and explanation and respectful challenge this takes – so the sooner this starts the better.
We hear the news, we feel the fear, we build the excitement and then we do it.
That is the way of change.