This is a guest post by Jeremy Koerber, MA, ACSM HFS
So you don’t have a problem with change, huh? I hear that a lot but if that were really true, there wouldn’t be a need for wellness coaching services. The bottom line is change is hard. Actually, change scares the hell out of most people, especially insurance producers. The common reactions to change usually involve one of these actions:
- You flee
- You fight
- You rationalize
Here’s my favorite rationalization: “Change won’t work for ‘me’ because my life and situation is so different.” Listen, you can rationalize just about anything to validate your thoughts and feelings. And, if rationalization isn’t your reaction of choice, there is always the chance you will flee the situation, disengage and just resist the change itself. If it makes you feel any better, I myself, master of wellness and guru of all things healthy, also have trouble with change. Stay with me and let me help set you up for success with change.
Successful change, whether it is your health, in business or in relationships, is about keeping it simple. Almost everyone I consult with has overcomplicated their situation by trying to change too many things at once (remember the flee, fight or rationalize reactions). Remember, you still have to live life, work, take care of your family, etc.
What is your goal or objective? Lose weight, make more money, improve your relationships, etc.? The #1 thing we are going to do after you pick your goal is to strip it down. If your goal was to lose 50 pounds, the natural tendency is to join a gym, exercise five days a week, and start a diet. Unfortunately what comes after those typically is failure. You need to focus on one “thing” and one “thing” only. If you can do that, we have a platform to build upon.
What does simple change look like? Just in case you had visions of high intensity Cross fit-like workouts, here are some of the changes some of our coaching clients have committed to integrating into their life:
- Take a multivitamin every day
- Drink 30 ounces of water per day
- Walk 10 minutes per day
- Eat one piece of fruit per day
I bet these sound silly to you; way too easy. Well, they aren’t because this is how real change works. What these clients did was pick a “thing” they knew they could accomplish every day; a change that would not turn their entire world upside down. It is the simplicity that gives you the power. We want this change to be easy; so easy that you can turn around in a week or two and say, “Hey, I think I am ready to add another thing.”
Notice the difference in the results between the person who tried to change everything all at once and the person who changed one thing at a time. The one-at-a-time-changer is ready to progress to the next step in the journey to their goal. The everything-all-at-once-changer failed because it was too much change way too soon. As a result they fled, fought or rationalized why “now isn’t the right time.” The person who focused on just one change really didn’t feel any upheaval in their lives. They continually mastered small changes until all of sudden they were 50 pounds lighter.
Here’s a critical fact: studies have shown that if you implement one change you are 85% likely to succeed. Add a second change at the same time and the percentage drops to 33%.
In sales, there are many factors that contribute to your success in generating revenue and meeting quotas and, in some cases, multiple changes at once are possible. But when it comes to changing you, and the habits that have been ingrained in your life for years, the slow change approach is what will separate you from those who will be backing into a larger suit coat this year and the year after that.
Stop trying to change everything about you overnight and give the slow change process a try. When you wake up the next day you won’t look or feel much different but within a few months, you may not recognize the person looking back at you in the mirror.
About the Author:
Jeremy Koerber, MA is the owner of Integrated Wellness Concepts, and is an ASCM-certified Health Fitness Specialist with 18 years’ experience in the health and fitness industry. His team’s philosophy is to create wellness plans and exercise programming that focuses on integrating physical and nutritional concepts into his clients’ lifestyles that fit their objectives, interests and personality.
To contact Jeremy visit www.integratedwellness-concepts.com or call him directly at (314) 807-8634.
