Checking-in On Change
Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at 4:37PM 
This month I’ve focused on taking action towards the changes I seek. Many of you have done the same. As we’re half way through the month, this is a good point to stop and give ourselves a Change Check-up. A great question that ADHD coach, Cameron Gott asks is, “Where are we now?”
Locating where you are in the change process is important. Are you struggling to match actions with the changes you want? Or, are you able to make new choices each day to facilitate the changes that you desire? Perhaps you are experiencing a mix of struggles and successes. Sometimes we want habits or situations to alter, but we find it challenging to take the action steps, however small, to bring about those changes.
In the Readiness of Change fact sheet I created for the Institute for Challenging Disorganization, I wrote about the five phases of change: Initial Rumblings, Identifying Possibilities, Reaching Out, Beyond Talking and Life Jolts. These stages aren’t necessarily linear. We shift back and forth between the phases and can even straddle two simultaneously. For a detailed description, the ICD fact sheet is available as a free download.
Sometimes we need to pause and reassess where we are and how we’re doing. For example, I spent December and January setting goals and determining which changes I wanted to make for the coming year. When February arrived, I began setting some of those goals in motion by taking baby steps forward. Now I’m evaluating how I’m doing. Many of the changes I seek are in the works. Some have shorter time frames to accomplish, while others might take a full year or longer.
Each of us face challenges. For me, the most difficult ones seem to be integrating exercise into my schedule and cutting down on the sweets. Experience tells me that when I exercise more and eat fewer sweets, I feel healthier and stronger. As it turns out, getting out for that brisk walk or saying “no” to the very tempting cupcake or bar of chocolate is apparently not so easy.
I know that it’s difficult to make multiple changes at once. I haven’t given up on my fitness and health goals. They just may need to be postponed while I work on the other areas I’ve chosen to focus on.
Make time for your Change Check-up. Where are you now? Are you experiencing challenges or celebrating successes? I’d love to hear from you.
Linda Samuels, CPO-CD
® is a compassionate, enthusiastic professional organizer, coach, author & blogger who facilitates change in others' lives. A revolving door empty-nester, she lives with her husband in a small, colorful home with a purple front door.
Reader Comments (11)
I never thought of reevaluting I just keep trying to push forward and truely it is getting me no where! I have so much I need to do and I forget to look around and see what I have done and go from there! I just get completely overwhelmed and tend to stop instead of patting myself on the back for what I've done and keep going! Even if it is small it is something!! Thanks for this post it helped so much!
Changes can be hard, but I love the idea of making regular times to pause and evaluate where we are in our change process. Small steps definitely make it easier!
change for me is baby steps. I go a little forwards and then sometimes I regress and have to jump 2 steps forward again!
Shannon & Tracy - I appreciate your thoughtful reflections about change and allowing time to pause and think. Just like we need to breathe, that pause from our actions enables us to stop long enough to check-in and see where we've come from, where we are and where we're headed.
Change is what happens when you are busy living your life. Sometimes we plan it...sometimes we don't. Either way it is scary and exciting at the same time.
Love your post!
Linda- this is great as I'm going through a major change! About to launch a new website, new look and feel of my company that I've spent the last few years growing...it's a time to celebrate success but also to implement some changes that I'm nervous about! You always have the best advice and most thoughful blogs, thank you!
I don't know where I'm at with things but I'd like to find a better way to get organized. Especially since I have a baby coming any day now (b'shaah tovah) and I have two other kids as well.
Thanks!
Melissa
mbamster0720 at gmail dot com
Change Central Here! Hubby retiring, house for sale & son's wedding to get ready for...weathering it the best I can!
Once all of that is done hoping to get back into just an easy flow of life. :)
Change is the only thing constant in this world. Change is what we are doing to help us improve our way of living.
Change isn't easy! I like to change decor and such but major changes have a momentum that isn't always easy to ride. lol You book sounds fabulous.
You are all so awesome! I love the comments you shared on my blog. As each of you have identified, change can be exhilarating or scary. But you each have your own way of dealing with it whether it's by taking small steps towards change, giving yourself permission to think or jumping in with full force. I appreciate all the ideas you shared and the bravery and compassion you've expressed.
And now for the winner of the giveaway.....Congratulations to Shannon J.! Please email me your full name and address, Shannon and I will send you an autographed copy of "The Other Side of Organized." Email me at linda@ohsoorganized.com.
Thanks to each of you for joining in the conversation.