Remember These Five Things When You're Changing Things

5 Foundational Principles of Change

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?"

Isaiah 43:18-19

1) Change is life and life is change. 
There's not an option. If you want to keep living, you have to go through change. It's a fact of life. When you stop changing, you stop growing! It is possible to change without growing, but all growth requires change! 

A big question people ask: "When will things get back to normal?" Answer: Never. This is normal. Let's deal with it. 
Good news -- God is unchangeable. Everything else might change -- but He doesn't. "In every change, He, faithful, will remain."

More good news -- God uses changes to change us! He develops us and grows us through the painful transitions. 

2) Change is always resisted. 
Mark Twain said, "Nobody likes change except a baby with wet diapers." 

Why do people resist change?

* Tradition (We've always done it this way.) 
* Comfort Zone/Habit (don't ask me to stretch!) 
* Fear of the unknown (What if I fail?) 
* Unclear Purpose (Why do I need to change?) 

3) People Adapt to change in different ways:
* 5% initiate change 
* 10% are early responders -- quick to jump in! 
* 70% go with the flow -- Agree when they get all of the facts. 
* 10% are late responders -- They agree kicking and screaming. 
* 5% shut down -- They kick, scream and will never agree. If positive changes need to be made -- don't let the last 5% derail the mission. 

4) Implementing Change 
* Make Sure Your Purpose is Clear -- "Why Are We Doing This?" What's the bottom line? 
* Sell the purpose, not the change -- Show the benefits of making this adjustment. 
* People best agree to changes in an atmosphere of trust. 
* Don't short-circuit the process -- Good adequate time for transition. * Not everyone will agree. 
* Not everybody who disagrees is your enemy. 
*Expect trouble -- Every change has a price tag. 
* Remember, the best is yet to come! 

5) What About Sacred Cows? 
Answer: As Bill Easum said, "They Make Gourmet Hamburgers!"