5 Steps to Make Instant Change

When things look a bit daunting and it’s hard to see where to start, here are 5 good tips from ‘Switch’ by Chip & Dan Heath. And these tips apply to all areas of life, not just business.

#1  Find the bright spots

Who’s making it work right now, internally/externally?

Follow their lead. If it worked for them, it may well work for you, too.

#2  Shrink the task

Make the goals smaller and really achievable to get moving.

This builds momentum and we all know that getting moving is the hard part and takes most energy – think trains. Once moving, they’re hard to stop.

#3  Get a head start

Two stars on the loyalty card to get them going – think cafe cards where you get 2 stamps straight away and you think you’re ahead. 

What reward can you offer up-front to your employees, your clients, yourself?

#4  Create habits

A place and time to report weekly/fortnightly progress

An obvious one, but it’s always good to be reminded that we end up doing those things we’ve made habitual. So create habits that are constructive and remember... it takes 14 days to establish a habit, and four months to make it rock solid.

#5  Rally the herd

Positive peer pressure, sharing their effective practices with other teams. When we celebrate the achievements of others and those around us celebrate ours, we get a massive motivation boost.