If you want to see lasting change start with 5%
For change to become permanent it needs time to slowly ‘bake’ into our lives. Meaning that for change to truly stick, and not be short-term, these changes need time to simmer into our everyday routine. It’s for this reason that I suggest change is done in increments of just 5%.
Think about it, if you aim for a 5% change per month (starting in July) by December you would see a 30% improvement in that area. A 30% change is a monumental improvement!
I would recommend that you start by concentrating on one area only. Once you’ve decided on your area jot down what 5% improvement could look like. Remember it’s 5%. Not 50%, 75% or 100%!
When I first started using this tool I chose to concentrate on, ‘How I showed up to others’ and focused on the following 5% monthly increments:
- Month 1 (5%): become aware of the conversations I was having
- Month 2: (10%) listen more than I spoke
- Month 3: (15%) recognise that everybody was going through personal issues
- Month 4: (20%) be sensitive with the words I used
- Month 5: (25%) watch my tone when speaking to people
- Month 6: (30%) truly allow space for people to reply
The 5% rule had such a profound impact on the quality of my relationships with people. Today those baked changes are now simply part of who I am and how I communicate.
Remember: Incremental changes = manageable changes.
Catch my Coaching Conversation series on YouTube (link). Last week’s clip was on “Comparison is the Death of Joy”. This Thursday’s clip, “The Stories We Tell Ourselves” looks at our how our assumptions (assessments) can lead us down dangerous paths and rob us of peace. Subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn more weekly self-coaching tips and techniques. (link).
