The Key to Effectively Implementing Change

People often get frustrated and give up on implementing change when they don’t see immediate results. This is especially true in today’s fast-paced society and competitive business culture. The average human attention span is 8.25 seconds, which is less than that of a goldfish. This is not meant to be discouraging; rather, it is to make you aware of how intentional one must be to commit their attention and their effort to something.

 When implementing a change, it is important to prepare for the long haul. You will notice milestones along the way, but it will take time to reach the desired outcome. Be patient with yourself and the process, and stay dedicated to your purpose for the change. The key to effectively implementing change is to have a clear and meaningful objective for it. Why do you want to make the change? How will it impact your life and/or business? What does it mean to you?

 Essentially, you must have the motivation to make the change. Motivation is what drives us to behave in very specific ways, and without it, we won’t do anything we don’t want to. When we are motivated, we have an emotional reason to act. So if the change is something that you want, then stay the course. Writing down your goals or checking in with another person/employee can also help keep you accountable. If you decide on a change in your mind but don’t do anything to solidify a plan, then it’s just an idea. Have the intention, and then take action.

 Even if the actions you take are subtle, they can have a huge impact on your life. After all, even a small stream of water can create a valley if given enough time.

-Meghan Slaughter