Change is not easy. It is painful and against comfort. Therefore, any change requires a lot of effort while the status quo is easier. Inertia is a tendency to do nothing or to remain unchanged. It exists in our nature normally. In physics, the concept of inertia means a property of matter by which it continues in its existing state of rest or uniform motion in a straight line unless that state is changed by an external force. Does it happen to you? Is there resistance to change in your nature?
Change, though difficult, is essential for growth and progress. Sometimes when inertia, resistance to change, becomes overpowering and affects our progress, it is time to kill that resistance. So, how to kill resistance to change? Here are five steps to help you kill inertia, resistance to change.
1. Decide to make a change: The first step for any change is to decide to change. Without deciding that change is required, nothing will change in life. The decision doesn’t mean a thought, it means decision. One has to not only consider a change but to decide to change something. And this decision should be firm. Believe in your decision and resolve to act firmly on it.
2. Don’t get bogged down by critics: When you will start making changes in life, a million and one critics will appear to reverse them. There will be hundreds of people criticising your decision, but don’t get bogged down by their comments, if you are changing for good. Critics encourage resistance. People cannot accept change not only in their own lives, but also in your life. Therefore, it is very much possible that they would start criticising you.
3. Keep reminding benefits of decided change: When you have decided to change something, stop backtracking. Remind yourself benefits of change. While there might be fear or risk in making change, attached advantages must be greater. Therefore, if you keep reminding yourself what benefits will come with the transformation, it will keep you motivated and defeat resistance.
4. Have a schedule for the changes: Unless you plan your proposed changes in a timely schedule and follow them as a routine, there is chance that you will stop pursuing them. As said, because changes are painful and difficult, it is important to keep following them as per a schedule. If you have decided to change your sleeping cycle, follow it in a religious manner. Your pre decided time table or methodology will help you overcome resistance.
5. Reward yourself for achieving every milestone: After all, it is our mindset which plays greater role in helping us achieve a change. Therefore, when you move towards making some change in career or relationship, break it down in smaller milestones. Reward yourself with something that you love when you reach a milestone. Rewards encourage us to continue on the path of success and therefore, it will work as an antidote to the resistance.
These five steps will help in following your resolve to change and fightagainst resistance.