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How to Change

"I was recently asked by an organization to help them go through a major change they are facing. I created this handout as the simplest way I could summarize the ways I have learned in my own life and helping others change for the past 27 years." Bill O'Hanlon

Step 1 : Acknowledge

Acknowledge people and validate their points of view
Don’t blame or make them wrong
Get specific: Use action talk -videotalk- (1) to avoid
labeling or generalizing
Acknowledge concerns (yours and others)
Acknowledge problems
Acknowledge what has worked: no need to throw the baby out with the bathwater

Step 2 : Find and agree on a direction/mission/vision

If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll probably end up somewhere else
If possible, paint a vivid picture of the future, again in action talk -videotalk- (1)
Get consensus or at least mutual understanding of that future
Use possibility talk (expect change, open up possibilities for change, etc.)

Step 3 : Acknowledge barriers and identify resources to achieving that future

What has stopped you or tripped you up in moving toward that future?
What are internal barriers (fears, old habits, outdated or unhelpful beliefs) to moving on?
What are real world barriers (money, lack of consensus, lack of information, actions that haven’t been taken) to moving on?
What or who are resources available to overcome or resolve the barriers?
What has worked well in the past?

Identify patterns of thinking, focus and action that do not help the situation change

Step 4 : Make an action plan

Start small
SMART (Small, measurable, achievable, realistic, timeline) goals and directions are more likely to succeed

Step 5 : Act (Just Do It!)

Take action, notice results, adjust action if needed
Break patterns of thinking, focus and action
Decide who is going to take what action by when
Get a promise and arrange to follow up
Persist until goal is achieved

Step 6 : Acknowledge and celebrate progress and success

Give lots of credit
Rituals/awards/celebrations to acknowledge milestones achieved and goals met

(1)Videotalk means to describe something only in terms of what one could see or hear if watching and listening to a videotape.

Bill O’Hanlon
Possibilities, 551 W. Cordova Rd., #715, Santa Fe, NM 87501,505.983.2843, fax 505.983.2761 - www.brieftherapy.com

Article originally transmitted by mediat-coaching.com