My kids went back to school last week…what an adjustment! Just getting the kids used to getting up early and going to school is a big change. With all three kids starting new schools, one starting middle school, and one starting kindergarten, everybody is feeling the effects of doing something different. To keep them from feeling overwhelmed, I reminded them of other changes they had been through, and how change often improves our experience. This week, I am going to talk about change, and how it can make a difference to your career and business. Be sure to check out the Challenge below that can change your life and your business for the better! Thank you for reading!

Is it Time for a Change?

There are so many clichés about change, and you probably know them all. It’s something we all have to live with. Just now the seasons are transitioning from summer to fall. Typically, we can handle this type of change, we’re actually used to it. We can anticipate it, and see it coming. But other changes we have more difficulty with. For example, losing a job, changing careers, or new management at your company.

Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
I like the quote from Peter M. Senge. Senge says “People don’t resist change. They resist being changed.” In fact, I was giving a talk in front of a small group, and they were complaining about the changes their company was making, so they formed a group to influence change! Eventually during that discussion, they did realize that they liked change when it was their idea.

People generally don’t like being uncomfortable, and new things make us uncomfortable. That is what my kids were experiencing when they moved to a new school. They were in a new environment, we’ve all experienced this at some point in our lives. When you find yourself in an unfamiliar environment, you’ll usually try to get back to something familiar as soon as possible.

Why is This Important?
Change is an integral part of growth. If you continue to do the same things the same way, you’ll continue to get the same results. I’ve witnessed this throughout my leadership career. Intelligent, hardworking individuals plateau in their careers because they still do things the same way. Sure, they are really good at it, and really efficient, but they are not growing. At this point, they generally had the feeling they weren’t appreciated by the company, and resigned themselves to the fact that this was all there was until retirement. Seems a little depressing, right? Then when it was suggested that they do something different, the answer was always, “Why? This works.” Or, “The company won’t appreciate it anyway.” These are classic defenses for avoiding the discomfort of change.

The Secret… Overcoming Resistance to Change
If we agree that change is necessary for growth, and growth is important to your career and business, leaders need to convince their teams to do things differently. People do resist being changed, but they are willing to change, if it’s their decision. If I choose a new career, decide to relocate, or travel to a foreign country, I’m deciding to change, and willing to risk being uncomfortable. If I am forced to relocate, I may resent the change. To get people willing to endure the discomfort, they need to be inspired to participate in the decision at some level.

This is why leaders need to have a clear vision of the future, and be able to clearly articulate that vision of the future to their teams. The team has to share that vision of the future, and clearly understand why that future is better for them. They have to decide that this future vision is worth working towards. If your company sets a vision of the future, and the people on the bottom of the hierarchal structure, the ones doing the work, believe the future is only good for the top executives, or the shareholders, there is no motivation. The vision has to be all inclusive. Then, and only then will you be able to inspire your team to change. Even if you don’t inspire everyone, and you won’t, you will attract those that are inspired by the picture you paint. Your team will be willing to endure short term discomfort, in order to achieve a better future in the long run.

The Challenge
What is so important to you that you are willing to be uncomfortable? Can you describe that to someone else so they can see your vision? Don’t worry if the answer is no, it takes time to hone your vision to a crisp picture that everyone can see. The challenge this week is to spend time daily finding your inspiration. Define what it is that you want so badly that you’re willing to change. Write it out daily every day for a week, adding detail as you go along. Ask yourself, is this something that will inspire others? If it inspires you, it should inspire other likeminded individuals.

What do you want so badly that you are willing to sacrifice comfort?

Click the link below and Let’s Continue the Conversation!

Shaffer Ingenuity can help you find what really drives you and provide you the tools to achieve those goals!

Continue the Conversation!

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Upcoming Events

I am excited to announce that are finalizing our next live event “Mastering The Mental Game!” in October. Dates and Locations will be announced shortly. This is going to be entertaining and life changing! You won’t want to miss it. Continue to check my website and this newsletter for details!

Join the Maximizing 2017 Webinar Series! I am starting a webinar series based on my book Maximizing The Human Potential. The webinars will be in in depth study of several chapters form the book and will be designed for you to take immediate action to get the results you are looking for. Checkout my website for additional detail.

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Do you have a corporate training event, know of any group that may benefit from learning about the true secret to goal setting and achieving? Please contact me about talking to your group or corporate event!
My book Maximizing the Human Potential is available on Amazon. Make sure to pick up your copy!

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Now Available

Don’t forget to pick up a copy of my book Maximizing The Human Potential available now on my https://shafferingenuity.com/book.html or at Amazon.com.

Now available for your Kindle as well!

Quote of the Week

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but building the new.”

-Socrates

Learn More

I am always looking for opportunities to share some inspiration with others. If your company or club is looking for a guest speaker for a meeting, workshop or other event, I welcome the referral.

To learn more about any of our services from speaking engagements to personal and professional development training please visit my website.

To learn about the Thinking Into Results program for corporate leadership and peak performance or personal transformation, please contact me or visit my TIR website.

Kind regards,
Andrew Shaffer,
Shaffer Ingenuity