Why Is Change So Hard?
You want to change. You know what you need to do. Your goals and tasks have been identified. So, why does it seem so hard to change, then? From a biological perspective, it can be argued that we are all shaped by our genetics and DNA, and we may be somewhat pre-set as to how we function in the world. From a psychological perspective, it can be argued that we all have a tendency towards a certain personality type, and possess certain attributes when it comes to our thoughts and emotions. From a social perspective, it can be argued that we all grew up in different environments and have been shaped by the people to whom we were exposed from a young age, and continuing all through our lives. Combined together, the general biopsychosocial model often needs to be examined when looking at human behavior. In tandem with some of these perspectives, change can encompass a series of steps and phases that we may go through to secure the desired change-behavior. The “Transtheoretical Model” reflects upon the above-mentioned biopsychosocial model to conceptualize the process of wanting to intentionally change your behavior (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1983; Prochaska, DiClemente, & Norcross, 1992). Here’s a brief review of the six stages below: Precontemplative – You know you might want to make a change, but you’re not quite ready to make the change. Contemplative – You begin considering change more readily, and entertain what this process might look like. Preparation – You begin making a plan to enact change. Action – You employ methods to carry out change-oriented tasks in order to achieve your goal. Maintenance – You sustain self-efficacy and have made some modifications in your lifestyle related to the change-behavior at hand. Termination – Your change-behavior has become an automatic process. Within each of these stages, there are experiential and behavioral processes that occur. These processes vary in intensity, frequency, and duration. Becoming educated about the change process and designing an individualized plan for change with a trusted mental health professional can often be an empowering and effective tool for enhancing your life. Change can be a difficult endeavor for many of us, but it can be achieved! Thoughts or questions? Please contact me for assistance. I’d be happy to...
Read MoreFeeling Stuck in Your Career?
If you think about it, your time at work might be taking up the majority of your waking hours. When you’re feeling stuck in your career, or are unhappy and frustrated at your job, it can sometimes feel as if your whole life is in a holding pattern. If this resonates with you, something needs to change! Whether you’ve been at your job for a few months or a few years, it is important to take time to assess your satisfaction at work. Paying attention to both your short-term and long-term career goals can help you find your path towards fulfillment in this important aspect of your livelihood. Furthermore, if you notice the rhythms and routines of your daily life are beginning to suffer as a result of being unhappy at work, then making a change in your work life sooner rather than later may be necessary. A question to ask yourself is what “work” means to you. There is no right or wrong answer, but we all have different expectations and values when it comes to our jobs and careers, and the lifestyle we want to have. Considering these values will help you set foot on the right career track. Some topics I often explore with my clients when navigating career issues include areas related to one’s skill set, education and experience, expectations for income, stability and security, passion/interest and meaning, and risk and reward. Figuring out these areas can help shed light on what may need tweaking in order to get on the right path. If you are unsure about staying in your current job, or if you are considering switching careers altogether, embrace this experience and use it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Making changes to the status quo can be daunting, but after a period of thought and self-reflection, the process will become easier if you create the time, space, and opportunity to invest in this exploration. Our lives are in constant motion, and it is a given that we may need to re-assess what matters to us in our careers from time-to-time. If you’re feeling stuck in your career, you have the power to make some changes! Remember: nothing is set in stone! Tools such as active self-reflection, trial and error methods, and trying out new ideas are great ways to begin figuring out what resonates for you in your professional...
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