Before We Change the World
Here's an inspirational article about individual change:
QUOTE
“When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits,
I dreamed of changing the world.
As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change,
so I shortened my sights and decided to change only my country.
But, it too seemed immovable.
As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt,
I settled for changing only family, only those closest to me,
but alas, they would have none of it.
And now as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize,
if I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family.
From their inspiration and encouragement I would then have been able to better my country
and, who knows, I may have even changed the world.”
Quote from an Anglican bishop found inscribed on his tomb in Westminster Abbey (mentioned by Richard Leider in Coaching for Leadership by Goldsmith et al)
TIP
Try reflecting on the Bridges transition framework for tips on how to navigate through personal change.
(Printed in part from an article in Elsdon Organization Renewal Newsletter. You can read the whole article in 2003 Newsletter www.elsdon.com)
Let’s look at what is involved in changing ourselves. In doing this we will build on the transitions framework developed by Bill Bridges. Bridges distinguishes between change and transition as follows:
o Change: A situational event; External;Often starts with a new beginning
o Transition: A gradual reorientation process over time; Internal; Must start with an ending
Here is a characterization of the transition process building on Bridges concepts:
Endings Neutral Zone New Beginnings
It begins with an ending, a stage of disengaging from the old way of doing things and letting go of who we were. Some of the emotions that can surface in this stage are denial, anxiety, fear and anger. These are natural emotions and we can anticipate that a person in this stage will speak of these and similar emotions. It can be a time of disengagement and disenchantment.
The next stage is the Neutral Zone, that confusing in-between state, where we may be disoriented, disconnected from who we were but still not sure of where we are going. Emotions such as confusion, stress, creativity and skepticism are likely to surface here. Here it is important to find a regular time and place to reflect on what the transition means and what is important moving forward.
The final stage is that of New Beginnings. Here we welcome the new reality that change represents and are likely to experience emotions such as acceptance, hope, energy and enthusiasm. This is a stage of action, of embracing a new direction. The emotions that surface in this complete cycle, which will occur repeatedly throughout our lives, are natural and often simply acknowledging this fact eases our path, and the path of others, through the process.
Bridges provides a series of pointers for supporting this path through transition:
4 Take your time
4 Arrange temporary structures
4 Don’t act for the sake of action
4 Recognize why you are uncomfortable
4 Take care of yourself in little ways
4 Explore the other side of the change
4 Get someone to talk to
4 Find out what is waiting in the wings of your life
4 Use this transition as the impetus to a new kind of learning
4 Recognize that transition has a characteristic shape
4 View it as a rite of passage: a lens through which to magnify the experience
QUOTE
“When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits,
I dreamed of changing the world.
As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change,
so I shortened my sights and decided to change only my country.
But, it too seemed immovable.
As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt,
I settled for changing only family, only those closest to me,
but alas, they would have none of it.
And now as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize,
if I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family.
From their inspiration and encouragement I would then have been able to better my country
and, who knows, I may have even changed the world.”
Quote from an Anglican bishop found inscribed on his tomb in Westminster Abbey (mentioned by Richard Leider in Coaching for Leadership by Goldsmith et al)
TIP
Try reflecting on the Bridges transition framework for tips on how to navigate through personal change.
(Printed in part from an article in Elsdon Organization Renewal Newsletter. You can read the whole article in 2003 Newsletter www.elsdon.com)
Let’s look at what is involved in changing ourselves. In doing this we will build on the transitions framework developed by Bill Bridges. Bridges distinguishes between change and transition as follows:
o Change: A situational event; External;Often starts with a new beginning
o Transition: A gradual reorientation process over time; Internal; Must start with an ending
Here is a characterization of the transition process building on Bridges concepts:
Endings Neutral Zone New Beginnings
It begins with an ending, a stage of disengaging from the old way of doing things and letting go of who we were. Some of the emotions that can surface in this stage are denial, anxiety, fear and anger. These are natural emotions and we can anticipate that a person in this stage will speak of these and similar emotions. It can be a time of disengagement and disenchantment.
The next stage is the Neutral Zone, that confusing in-between state, where we may be disoriented, disconnected from who we were but still not sure of where we are going. Emotions such as confusion, stress, creativity and skepticism are likely to surface here. Here it is important to find a regular time and place to reflect on what the transition means and what is important moving forward.
The final stage is that of New Beginnings. Here we welcome the new reality that change represents and are likely to experience emotions such as acceptance, hope, energy and enthusiasm. This is a stage of action, of embracing a new direction. The emotions that surface in this complete cycle, which will occur repeatedly throughout our lives, are natural and often simply acknowledging this fact eases our path, and the path of others, through the process.
Bridges provides a series of pointers for supporting this path through transition:
4 Take your time
4 Arrange temporary structures
4 Don’t act for the sake of action
4 Recognize why you are uncomfortable
4 Take care of yourself in little ways
4 Explore the other side of the change
4 Get someone to talk to
4 Find out what is waiting in the wings of your life
4 Use this transition as the impetus to a new kind of learning
4 Recognize that transition has a characteristic shape
4 View it as a rite of passage: a lens through which to magnify the experience
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