By Jillian Broaddus and Chuck Cusumano
A few weeks ago on the blog, we wrote about how the vast majority of people will never achieve their life’s greatest dream. While 81% of people want to write a book, less than 1% ever will; similar statistics follow for those who strive to run marathons, see the world, or reach “millionaire” status.
Why? One of the biggest reasons is a reluctance to change.
Unsurprisingly, most people avoid change. This can be seen on a personal and professional stage: 70% of business’s change efforts fail outright (source), largely attributable to employee resistance, while Forbes reports that only 38% of people like to leave their comfort zones.
In fact, when it comes to change, one statistic perhaps trumps all others to show just how avoidant the general population is! In Alan Deutschman's book, Change or Die: The Three Keys to Change at Work and in Life, he reports that only one of nine people will make lifestyle changes (e.g., diet, exercise, etc.), even after they are told they could prolong their life, restore their health, and even reverse diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. In other words, only 11% of people chose LIFE over DEATH… when a change was involved!
If you fall into the majority of people mentioned in any of the statistics above, you can identify with the difficulty in accepting change! Change certainly requires leaving one’s comfort zone, pushing boundaries, and – oftentimes – facing new, unforeseen obstacles that may have not blocked the path of least resistance.
However, change isn’t just vital; it’s inevitable. Look at the season we’re in now: the world is spinning into autumn, leaves are changing, and temperatures are dropping. Change is happening all around us because Fall is the season of change. Have you embraced it? Better yet, have you embraced the opportunity to reflect on the changes you may need to make in your own life?
Now is the season to not only accept change, but to dive into it! On the other side of change is the future you’ve always imagined. It’s the novel you haven’t written, the mountain you’ve yet to climb, or the marathon you haven’t run. On the other side of change is growth, success, and happiness.
Let us know how we can help you in your change efforts by reaching out to hello@thejoshuagroupconsulting.com. We’d love to help you through a temporary discomfort to achieve the future you’ve dreamed of! Happy Fall!
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