Don’t you just love change?
Most of us don’t notice change until it becomes an event--something unexpected or unanticipated that was not planned for, or was planned for though not as we thought.
When change becomes an event, we notice it. We notice it and either do one of two things: either we try to go with the flow, or we react to it by trying to slow it down.
The trying to slow it down part brings to mind the image of a farmer walking behind a pair of oxen while plowing his field. He is going along just fine until he wants the oxen to go another way. Inevitable, he digs his heels in, leans back, pulls hard on the reigns and shouts “whoa!” in a futile attempt to make them stop. Instead, they keep plodding monotonously along, leaving the farmer alternately straining against the reigns and being jerked along in order to keep up.
In order to avoid the jerked along behind the oxen movement that occurs when we resist change and move into the natural ebb and flow of change, it is important to recognize change is a process. In 1982, Drs. James Prochaska and Carlo DiClemente developed a Transtheoretical Model of Change that beautifully outlines the five stages of change. I wrote an article about this model and how it applies to starting up a small business that WorkOnTheInternet.com published here. In it, I outline the five stages of changes:
- The Precontemplation Stage (Not Currently Considering Change)
This stage could really be called “the precursor-to-change” stage. This is the
stage when individuals may not even be thinking about becoming small business owners.
This stage’s motto is: Ignorance is bliss. - The Contemplation Stage (Thinking about Change and Researching Options)
In the Contemplation Stage, individuals are aware that a change is needed and they actually desire to make a change. This stage’s motto is: Just sitting on the fence waiting to see what will come along. - The Preparation Stage (Ready for Change and Making Plans)
This stage of change is readily apparent by the amount of activity, decisions, and overt action that is taking place in preparation for a small business start up. This stage’s motto is: I think I can, I think I can, I think I can. - The Action Stage (Making Change and Taking Charge)
This stage is characterized by a considerable amount of steady, forward movement. The motto for this stage is: Carpe Diem. - The Maintenance Stage (Continuing Forward Movement toward Goal)
By this stage, individuals are firmly ensconced in the forward movement and momentum of launching their new small business. The motto of this stage is: Westward, ho!
I found this model helpful because it clearly outlines the stages of change and how one stage flows into the other. When we feel as if we are being jerked along behind the steady flow of change, it is because we have skipped a level or two along the change continuum. When that happens, we quite naturally want to shout “whoa!”
Anyone else have the experience of being jerked along behind two oxen?
The original Accidental Pren-her™
Comments