Willingness to change
Willingness to change is the willingness to make an effort to change a behavior, situation or way of functioning.
Definition
The mere desire to change does not mean change. It can be the beginning of a process, but it requires specifying the reasons, costs, resources and first behaviors. In practice, ambivalence often appears: people want change and at the same time are afraid of its consequences. Therefore, effective work with change is not about increasing motivation, but about reducing friction and building real readiness.
Key ideas
- Readiness and ambivalence
- Cost of change
- The first step instead of a declaration
Practice and life
Write down two lists: what I will gain from the change and what I will lose if I actually make it. Then select the smallest test step.
Common misconceptions
It is a mistake to confuse strong emotion after a decision with lasting readiness. The second mistake is to ignore the hidden benefits of the old scheme.
> The will to change is the beginning, but only the first repeated step verifies its authenticity.
> — Guru Element
Questions for self-reflection
- Why do I want this change now?
- What am I afraid of if I really succeed?
- What step will show that this is not just a declaration?