Here’s an easy formula to bring positive change to your life:
(DVP) x (BA) = Change
D = Dissatisfaction (with a current situation or condition)
V = Vision (for how you would like things to be)
P = Plan (actions and strategies needed move you toward your vision)
B = Belief (the genuine belief and faith that you can make your vision happen)
A = Action (actions you actually take to move toward the change you want)
(This uses similar elements as both Gleicher’s Formula and the Harvard Change Model.)
It works like this:
D = Dissatisfaction (with a current situation or condition)
You decide you are dissatisfied with something. It could be anything. Anything that bugs you, irks you or that you want to change. For example, I’m working on losing weight. My present response to the earth’s gravitational pull is more than I want. It bothers me. I am dissatisfied with it.
V = Vision (for how you would like things to be)
Because of your dissatisfaction, you create a vision of how you would like things to be. This is where you paint a picture. How does your new and improved situation look? How does it feel? Walk around a little and experience the change you want. Then describe it in abundant detail. Be specific and tangible. make it simple to understand and easy to remember.
My vision for weight loss is easy. I step on the scale and it does not laugh at me anymore. Actually, my real vision is it say “180″ when I step on it rather than the current unreasonable value (which, for now, shall remain unpublished, unseen and highly classified).
P = Plan (actions and strategies to move you toward your vision)
The next step is to create your plan to make your vision reality. You can be as detailed or brief as you want. Make it work for you. But a requirement for every plan is action steps. make sure your plan includes actions you can take (right away) to begin moving toward your goal. Some people prefer the actions to be measurable. Some don’t. Some people chart their completion on actions steps. Others won’t. Again, do what works for you. Just be sure your actions steps move you closer to your vision. They should be reasonable, and doable. Or, as my high school running coach used to say, “stretch but don’t pull anything”.
Continuing my weight loss example, my plan includes several items. One is to exercise every day for at east 30 minutes. My wife and already walk the dog and workout at LA Fitness 3 times a week. So these 30 minute sessions would be in addition to those. Plus, I am eating at least 4 servings of fresh fruit or vegetable every day. And I am avoiding junk food, fast food and greasy food. (Too many calories and too much fat.) Finally, I’m watching my daily calorie count.
Notice, not all my plans are measurable. And not all are positive. That’s okay. The only two requirements are that they are doable and they will move you toward your goal. I know some self-help gurus say you need to measure and chart everything and set goals that are positive. There’s nothing wrong with doing that, unless it doesn’t work for you. Like I said before, do what works and forget the rest.
B = Belief (the genuine belief and faith that you can make your vision happen)
You have to believe you can make the change you want. All the visions and plans in the world are worthless if they’re not followed by action. And people will rarely take action on something without the belief or faith that can do it.
This does not necessarily mean you have all the answers or you know exactly what to do to accomplish your vision. This happens a lot less than most of us admit. Plans are fallible, subject to change because they’re not perfect. But belief (or faith) that is absolute. When you are confident you can do something even though you have no clue how you will do it, then you have belief. And that’s required for making a positive and permanent change in your life.
A = Action (actions you actually take to move toward the change you want)
Finally, you need to take action. All the talking and planning in the world won’t get you anywhere is you fail to take action. Remember, the Plan component details the NEEDED actions. It does not say you’ve actually done them. Action is where most attempts at change fall apart. It needs to be sustained yet flexible. You need to start and keep going, even when it seems things are not going the direction you want.
Nothing happens until someone takes action. There is no substitute for this.
Remember, change is a process, not a project. It’s an ongoing thing. Once I get my weight to 180 I won’t go back to my old ways. By that time I will have developed new habits based on the actions I have taken. Those that fit my life and help me meet my goals will remain. And isn’t that what change is all about?
What do you think? Would this work for you? Are you using this (or something like it) already?
Other articles you might like:
- What is Leadership?
- Use faith and frustration to improve
- A simple four step plan for renewed success
- Remember What You Control (And What You Don’t)
- How to Beat the Recession – Part 3
