REAL CHANGE MUST BE INTENTIONAL

 They arrive at a crossroad…

Looking back to see how their past had unfolded...

Looking ahead towards a future not yet defined.

     Increasingly tired of their struggles within a thankless world…

They sought a solitary path that would lead towards truth…

An obscure trail that would carry them to a brighter future... 

Deliberately they turned, tentatively moving forward into a vast unknown…

Leaving behind the comfort and security their past provided…

Intentionally embarking upon a path that would change their lives forever…

Why do people seek change?  What makes us decide to do things differently – particularly if the things we are doing provide us comfort or bring us success – particularly if our success leaves us feeling empty?  What makes us wander from “the familiar” in search of unknown challenges, opportunities and destinations?   There comes a time in life that we all reflect upon what we have done, what we are doing and (often) seek different ways of doing things and alternative destinations as we determine what is really valuable – what is real – in our lives...resolving to change in ways that will allow us more free time, “true” success or more relevant and tangible rewards.  Several factors must be recognized, however, if we wish to move beyond our current station in life – beginning with the deliberate consideration of an intentional action that, when taken, will forever change where we are as it redefines where we are going and what we wish to achieve (one cannot do the same things they have always done NOR value the same things they have always valued if different results and/or rewards are expected).

 Everyone desires success (though success cannot be granted to or bestowed upon another for we all define it differently).  Far too often, however, success breeds arrogance, which leads to complacency.  If we ride a single success beyond its effective lifespan…thinking “our way” is the only way…someone else will either assume our market share (by improving upon what we do), force us to change (by revealing the shortcomings of our established approach), or disrupt our stagnant but comfortable existence (by offering a more exciting option).  We must actively appraise the things we do AND why we do them (both in our work and our personal relationships), constantly adjusting, revising and changing at least the “how” (if not the “why) we do them if we wish to remain vibrant and relevant.  By continuously analyzing our strengths and weaknesses, identifying those that hold us back and enhancing those that pull us forward, we will remain significant to ourselves and to those around us.  Recognizing that the only constant in life is change should allow us to accept the possibility of failure (and the learning it brings) as long as we accept the premise that success does not germinate from frantic movement without direction or purpose.  In order to move forward we must occasionally stop what we are doing so we can start something else.

To initiate change, one must be intentionally and consciously address three major issues:

•  We must acknowledge where we have been, recognize what we have done, and desire something different before we can start travelling upon a new path.  How can we better serve our customers?  What can we do to improve a relationship?  Must we alter our behavior so that we can remain relevant within a changing world?  Whenever we recognize our goals – that time has kept moving forward while we have remained steadfastly planted in one place – we must leave our original path to discover one that will allow us to refocus and redirect our efforts as we seek a new and different objective.

• We must stop doing the things we are doing – that we have always done - no matter how effective they may have been in the past.  While identifying what must be done to create meaningful change, paths (and methods) needing abandonment will inevitably be revealed.  Can a workforce that values time off from work be effectively disciplined with suspension?  Can an individual communicate effectively without embracing technology and learning how to “entertain” using Power Point?  Can two people maintain a meaningful relationship if neither is willing to “walk a mile” in the other’s shoes – to speak freely and openly while actively listening to hear what is being said by the other? When one arrives at a crossroad, life can either stagnate at the dead end or proceed in a different direction, at a different pace and seek an alternative objective.  An intentional decision to change is required to initiate a change in course. 
  
  
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  As we identify and abandon the things that hold us back we must continue doing things that produce positive growth and change.  We all have personal strengths…characteristics responsible for the success we have experienced.  Everyone can celebrate a “peak of accomplishment” in their past.  Far too many of us, however, choose to dwell within the quiet valleys that provide shelter from the wind while gazing up at our past accomplishments.  In order to realize meaningful change we should continue doing the things that raised us to our heights, discard those that brought us to our knees and seek new paths that will lead us to new discoveries.

We must alter more than our outward appearance if we expect our life to change significantly.  We often hear about “new and improved” products only to find nothing but the packaging has changed.  Television networks frequently move a failing show from one night to another in order to gain viewers from a less competitive offering.  In order to realize change we must continually take stock of what we are doing and where we are going – then intentionally seek paths that will lead us from complacency to discovery...from stagnation to new relationships and opportunities. We must fully define our present (from which we will be moving forward) and acknowledge our past (both the wins and the losses) so that we can put aside those things that hold us back and embrace those ideals that would allow us to change if we harbor any expectation of creating a future that is different than what we have always done or what we are currently doing.