The Concept of Change

Change is in all of us – We must consciously want it

Now we have defined exactly how much money we need to make, and have understood that in order to make that money (realistically as it should be), we need to change, we must then accept that Change is possible, and it is a part of who we are.

Why do I say that? I say that because each new days sunset brings with it the reality that we are to be a day older the next morning, our eyes have seen a day’s more figures and things, our ears heard a day’s more sounds, our hearts have experience a day’s more emotions and therefore  have hopefully acquired, just a day’s more knowledge. These days experiences imply that we are different from the person we were just a day before.

Still, there are principles one must adapt to if they are to Change. These being the Truths that we must believe and embrace about Change for it to manifest and have a lasting positive effect on us. Those who have tried to create a new habit know that it is said that for any habit to become a norm, one must consistently do it daily for at least 21 days. Those that are ahead of us tell that after 21 days, that habit becomes a part of who we are. Similarly, if we are have Lasting Change.

While there are no set time schedules on my side, while I do not have the magic wand to the future, I do know, that Change by its own essence is a daily target and that there are principles that we can apply and accept if we are to make Change effective. These are guidelines that we need to understand if we are to succeed in this Change, if we are develop a different lifestyle.

 

The principles that guide change are  

1)    Change is systematic

The most broadly valid definition of systematic change is “change that pervades all parts of a system, taking into account the interrelationships and interdependencies among those parts.” Systemic change recognizes those interdependencies and makes the necessary changes in those other parts and their interrelationships.

For change to be useful it needs to result in a paradigm shift in our way of thinking. We must change all aspects of who we are. We must understand and embrace the truth that real sustainable change starts from the inside. We must appreciate the Need to Change and apply the principles required to effectively do differently and effect this change in all areas of who we are.

2)    Change is evolutionary not revolutionary

No one can force you to change. A more sustainable and useful way to Change is for one to do it gradually and with collaboration. Identify your triggers, your weak spots and start from there, involve all parties. Negotiate new loan term if necessary, consolidate what you owe, engage your family on spending patterns and agree on a formula that will best serve all.

 

3)    People take care of what they own. You do not wash a rented car

Change must be personally driven and you as the concerned individual must take ownership of the reasons to change. Each person must find the motivation and understand that, I could give you the steps, but unless and until you OWN them, there will be no change.

4)    Sustainable change is culture driven

For you to succeed in this process, change must become a lifestyle. Like a runner – you practice, try, fail, try again and again until you get it as part of the fabric of who you are. To change and become a financially liberated person, realize that even where you make mistakes and fall back into a debt trap, you must go back to your original plan and start again, until being become a part of who you are, a Culture for you.

5)    Change is a journey not a programme

Have you ever heard that change is the journey, not the destination? What people mean by this is that change is a means to an end, not the end itself. In other words, don’t get too excited about change; get excited about where it will eventually take you. If there is no compelling reason to change, why go to all the trouble?

Increasingly in this day and age, your end point is unlikely to be your final destination. You may set a goal or pick a place you want to be in your financial journey but if you attempt to put down roots and stay there forever, you will surely run into problems. Things change, and we must change with them. In reality, ends are almost never destinations – they are goals; points along the way that may be good to reach, but will also eventually be good to leave behind.

Always strive therefore to Change, to Adapt with the Times.