The formula for change

By Lora Benson | May 05, 2017
If (D + V + P) > C, then change happens.

Tips From The Coalface May 2017

Barry Horner from Paradigm Norton shared with me the formula for change.

If (D + V + P) > C, then change happens.

That is, if your dissatisfaction (D) plus your vision (V) plus the practical steps (P) you’ll need to take, add up to more than the perceived cost (C) of changing, then change will occur.

When I’m feeling stuck in life or in my business my life coach will get me to journal on the payoff I receive for staying stuck. She’ll also get me to focus on the payoff for making a change (the Vision) and get me to list some baby steps I can take to make it happen (the Practical Steps).

Let’s say I have an employee who I know needs to be sacked. I’ll journal my payoffs for having not taken action, like:

  • Don’t have to have a difficult conversation
  • Don’t have to sack someone I actually like
Then I’ll journal the rewards for making the change:
  • Enjoy life and work more
  • Work fewer hours
  • Get things done right first time
  • Keep my other good staff happy

Change only occurs when the pain of not taking action increases enough for me to want to confront the payoffs for staying stuck and to get specific about the rewards that will come if I’m brave enough to take the next right step.

It’s always a useful exercise.