How to change, when change is hard
For some reason humans seem to be drawn to all of the wrong things when we pursue change. We assume that we need a solution that is a big as the problem. And we look at the problems, analyzing, dissecting, fretting, hoping a solution will emerge.
Take the example of Jerry, who was hired by a emerging nation to help address malnutrition among children. Kids were dying because they weren’t getting the right foods. It was a massive problem, and Jerry was given just one year, and no resources to fix it.
How’s that for a challenge?
Most of us would get out the spreadsheets, ask for more money, or simply quit due to the lack of resources. But Jerry went looking for the bright spots.
He discovered that in some villages, the kids were healthier & had a higher survival rate. After some research he learnt that the mothers in those villages fed their kids four meals a day, not two; this made it easier for kids to digest all the nutrients they needed. And while the kids were eating basic food, they also added in prawns and vegetables, that gave them vital protein and nutrients, which the other villages didn’t.
These two simple changes had a dramatic effect, and within a year, by using what was already working as a model, Jerry saved the lives of hundreds of kids, and earned the respect of the government that hired him. If like Jerry, you have changes that need to be made, here are three vital lessons to embrace.
1) Start with the bright spots
It was a simple practice of time, and extra resources that fueled Jerry’s changes. He didn’t waste time, energy & resources fretting about what was wrong, trying to convince people to change or fighting battles to get attention. He found what was working, and shone a bright light on it.
-What are the bright spots in the areas you’d like to change?
-What is already working, no matter how small it may seem?
2) Find the motivation
Again with Jerry’s problem, it was the motherly motivation of wanting to have healthy kids that brought about a change, and ultimately a community transformation. A big problem doesn’t always need a huge solution; but it does require motivation on our part to act. The government didn’t have the power or resources to address the issue appropriately; but the Mothers who were feeding these children every day were instinctually driven to make changes that would benefit their children.
-What is going to motivate you or your organization to change?
-What are the powerful motivations, the positive outcomes that can help you embrace change?
3) Shrink the change
Perhaps Jerry’s greatest success was to shrink the change. The mothers didn’t need to go to cooking school, or learn about best health practices. They didn’t need to purchase expensive ingredients, or receive education around malnutrition. They simply added some ingredients (which were already being fed to adults) and fed their kids smaller meals more often. A huge problem was tackled with a simple, practical solution. It was a change of mindset that led to a significant cultural shift.
-How can you shrink the change you need to make?
-How could it be reduced to some simple steps that will make a big difference in the long run?
Change is difficult at times; but using these three simple steps can make it a reality, even when it’s tough.
Shine a light on the bright spots; find the motivation; shrink the change
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