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Change is not easy. Not for individuals, groups or businesses. There I said it. Anyone who speaks to the contrary is wrong. I was sitting up the other night flipping the channels and just was amazed at the amount of infomercials I have seen on how we can change quickly or how we can revolution
ize our life with a certain product, I just laugh and then it made me mad.
Now I have been one of those people who are fascinated by these claims, but I have also been in the coaching and training field for over 20 years and been in a position of managing others for close to 30. (No my photo is not retouched, just good genes)
So why is everyone claiming they can change you in a few minutes or weeks? Because it sells or as my wife says, “It is good TV”. People have such a “fast food” mentality that if we have to wait for anything it can’t be good.
Trust me you did not gain those 20 extra pounds in a week nor will you lose them in a week and keep them off. Everything can have a shadow of reality. We can go on some extreme diet, lose weight in a few days but it comes screaming back as soon as we go back to what we were doing. What the infomercial wanted us to do was too extreme for a long term lifestyle.
Where people create real change is they first understand “why” they have to change and then find the “how”. Telling someone they have to change is not the answer. Helping them to realize it themselves is the answer. No one changes for anyone other than for themselves.
Businesses are no different than people. If you look at your company as an entity, it does not change unless everyone agrees that there is a big enough “why” to change and processes are put in place to change long term.
I have been coaching and going into businesses and can get a “spike” anywhere for a week. Not bragging but it is not that hard. Many people sell the spike and that’s ok but I am talking about long-term change. Change that happens after the “business coach” has left the building. Change only happens because the employees understand the Why and execute the “new” How.
Maybe that’s my frustration. As a business leader and personal coach, I sell the long term and people want the “wow”. Even now, as I speak to businesses around the country no one has any patience to change. Everyone has a 30-60 day mentality. I need to see MASSIVE change in that time or it does not work
Too many infomercials have ingrained it into our brains. I actually applaud P90X because they sell 90 days but they sell an everyday commitment. It is not casual. It demands you show up, at whatever level you are at, every day.
And if you take anything from this article, that should be it. Bring what you have every day. Work your plan of change each day. It is not easy. It is not fun at times and you will have to combat the naysayers. But I promise you, slowly but surely you will see results. You will see progress. All of those people who have not seen you in awhile will see the change. You competition will not see you coming and then you surpass them.
If you are looking for quick wins, they are a cherry on a cake. They are not the foundation. If you are looking for long-term change, find a coach or someone you trust. Let them guide you and mentor you until you can do it on your own.
Plan where you want to be in a year or two, not in 30 days. The infomercials can get you 30 days but mentors get you new realities and lifestyles.
Let me know your thoughts.
Glenn Pasch is the President of Improved Performance Solutions and a personal coach.