3. Bridge’s Model for Change Endings Neutral Zone New Beginnings Anger Sadness Depression Denial Bargaining Resistance Anxiety Looking Back Scattered Unclear Goals Push/Pull Acceptance Anticipation Looking Forward Focused Goal-Oriented Energized Optimistic
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7. Our Response to Change DENIAL RESISTANCE COMMITMENT EXPLORATION From Mastering the Change Curve by Scott and Jaffe Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 4 PAST FUTURE
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13. Steps for Building New Habits * From Changing Your Body One Bite at a Time by Evelyn Kissinger Thoughts Actions Habits Character Destiny
When was the last time you tried to change a habit? If you are like over 90% of the human race, it’s likely that you had real difficulty making the habit stick, or that you gave up altogether on your good intentions. You have each now become a member of an elite group of people who have chosen to make dramatic changes in their lifestyle habits. At the 2 nd HeartScreen you had a chance to see just how large some of those habit changes have been. I’m sure they have impacted not only yourself, but many of the people close to you as well! Am I right? The elite group know as CHIPPERS support and encourage one another. You are swimming against the culture current and it takes extra thought and energy at first, doesn’t it? CULTURE CHANGE: How many of you have ever moved into a culture different from your own and live there for awhile? This can be fun, especially at first. Everything is so charming, so quaint, so colorful, so fascinating!
With the CHIP lifestyle, you have actually moved into a new culture. It’s been an exciting CHIP trip from “Carnivore Canyon to Veggie Valley” hasn’t it? You have made amazing discoveries along the way and most of you would rather stick with your new culture than go back to where you were! Now there is something you need to know about living in a new culture: Studies now indicated that 6 months into a new culture, the newness wears off and a kind of mild depression may even set in. Amazing, but true! Companies, ambassadors, and missions have been savvy to this problem and now help their employees living overseas to prepare for this phenomenon in advance. We now realize that the very same thing has been observed in people who have made positive lifestyle changes. At just about six months from the start of a healthy new lifestyle, we observe that many lose their momentum and determination to stick with it. They may begin to feel isolated and question if it’s worth it? Let’s take a look at how you go about making a habit change and how you can ensure that it will last a lifetime. After all, you have spent precious time and money to achieve a remarkable and worthy goal and you’d like to stick to it.
The Bridges Model Endings: loss, letting go, getting closure, saying good bye Neutral zone: in between time, chaos, wilderness, creativity New beginning: renewal, being “in it” finally, the new chapter, hope, looking forward
Denial is probably the most common response to change but also the most difficult. Denial is a psychological term that refers to a defense against change. It takes the form of ignoring or not responding to information that demands a change. Denial is an attempt to preserve the success and the comfort of the past by ignoring signs that the past is over. A paradox of Denial is that it is difficult to identify it in yourself. People usually are not aware that they are denying change and therefore need to be confronted and informed by others about their denial behavior. Everybody resists change. It is natural to want things to remain as they are, to hold on to what is comfortable. No matter how exciting a change may be, you also will feel some trepidation and anxiety about the uncertain future. Resistance is normal because people are being asked to give up their comfortable and familiar ways. People in Resistance need acceptance of their feelings and validation of themselves as employees. Only then can they handle difficulties themselves and move on. Exploration is the fun phase, full of new energy and willingness to learn, experiment and try new ways. This is a very exciting time. At this point people finally have accepted the change and are ready to assess where they are with the change, clarify goals, and explore alternatives. Individuals who are in the Commitment phase have learned to work effectively in the changed environment. The change has become for them the new “business as usual.” The new way of working seems natural now, not something different. If fact, as this phase continues, commitment becomes deeper and deeper. This is not a phase of particular excitement but rather one of comfort. The Commitment phase is also a time for reflection on what has been learned. It is important for those who reach Commitment to reward themselves for success and prepare for the next change.
Adapted from Prochaska, Norcross, and Diclemente published in Changing for Good EXAMPLE: Coachee with quarters
To make this stage work you need to Treat your goals as a priority Not create excuses to sidetrack the plan Build in some rewards Acknowledge success in each little step
Watch out! To make this stage work you need to Maintain choices that support your lifestyle such as avoiding smokers, choosing your lunch time friends wisely, and attending a support group Remember that relapse is a normal potential Remember that a relapse is not a failure, but a reminder to get back at it
Adapted from Evelyn Kissinger, author of Changing Your Body One Bite at a Time So much of what we do every day is not controlled by conscious thought, but by habit. Habits are formed through a simple process that flows like this:
In other words, get a clear picture of what they new habit looks like in your life. You might ask yourself questions like these . . .
In designing your action plan ask, “What are the steps I need to take to ensure that these desired goals become a reality? After you have made a plan, implement it . . Actually get out there and do it. This step will be easier once you’ve identified specifically what needs to be done. The more specific you are, the greater your change of success. Remember this: The more times you repeat an action and realize its benefits, the more motivated you will be to do it over and over again and the closer you are to the next level – a new habit.
Healthful habits are the result of making conscious choices over and over again. Once these healthful habits take over, the choices are easy! The best choice becomes your natural choice! Have you ever noticed that most ads will offer you a 30-day free trial. They know you’ll probably be “hooked” after that. CHIP has given you 30 days to make some pretty major lifestyle changes. There IS a definite psychological reason for the plan. It has been discovered that it takes about 30 days for the neuron pathways of the brain to form into a new habit pattern. The old habits are not erased, but they are overpowered by the new.
When was the last time you tried to change a habit? If you are like over 90% of the human race, it’s likely that you had real difficulty making the habit stick, or that you gave up altogether on your good intentions. You have each now become a member of an elite group of people who have chosen to make dramatic changes in their lifestyle habits. At the 2 nd HeartScreen you had a chance to see just how large some of those habit changes have been. I’m sure they have impacted not only yourself, but many of the people close to you as well! Am I right? The elite group know as CHIPPERS support and encourage one another. You are swimming against the culture current and it takes extra thought and energy at first, doesn’t it? CULTURE CHANGE: How many of you have ever moved into a culture different from your own and live there for awhile? This can be fun, especially at first. Everything is so charming, so quaint, so colorful, so fascinating!