The serendipity of change in time management

Yesterday I looked at time management and why I am unable to manage it effectively. In trying to fix the problem, I am always looking at external entities that can help me to change my habit. Then it stuck me that I am actually dealing with “Change” and not the problem of time management. I am in a certain level of status quo and I need to change to manage time effectively. When you think about it, it looks so simple. Yet “Change” is a very complex process.

Last week I was introduced to a new concept of change. It’s the Virginia Satir Change Model that focuses not only on systems change (the organizational change we all know about) but also tries to explore the changes in individual people. The model talks about five stages – Status quo, Chaos, Integration, Practice and New Status Quo. The point of change occurs with the introduction of a foreign element that threatens to shake up the status quo. At this point two things can happen; you either accept change since you think its good or you fight and resist it till it goes away or you accept to integrate it into your system.

In an organizational context, change is generally driven by an external entity and it affects both the organization and individuals. Sometimes change is driven by an internal entity (such as HR, Quality, Compliance teams) and again it affects both organization and individuals. From an individual’s perspective, most (90%) of the changes happen because an external entity is the driver of the change.

The biggest discovery for me from the Virginia Satir Change Model is that change is not always driven by an external entity. As an individual, you can have internal changes and sometimes you as an individual is in a state of Chaos. You are fighting either to accept or reject that change so you can get back to some form of normalcy. Examples: you fall in love with someone; you discover you can read / talk / sing / run / jump / cook / write; etc.

In my case, I want to manage time efficiently so I can focus more on Quadrant 2. There is an internal desire (foreign element) to change and it will affect my status quo (habit). I will be in a state of chaos until I can figure out a way to integrate the new concept of time management. That’s going to be the transforming idea that would help me to integrate the change to my habit. Once I am there, I will need to practice and that would change to a new status quo (new and improved habit).

Having learnt that I can’t control change and that I certainly can’t fight it, I should surely learn how to cope with it. As the Greek philosopher, Heraclitus said “There is nothing permanent except change.” Sometimes we are our own enemies when it comes to change and without our own knowledge, we can derail our own plans. So I better get ready to get into a state of Chaos :)  Good luck Joe !!!

Now I wonder, how do I add a sense of urgency into this change? Change is no good if it takes a million years. Effective change management occurs when you can move from one state to the other in the shortest possible time.

For those who are looking for some information on Virginia Satir Change Model, here are some links.

http://www.satirworkshops.com/files/satirchangemodel.pdf

http://www.stickyminds.com/sitewide.asp?ObjectId=3657&Function=edetail

http://www.stevenmsmith.com/my-articles/article/the-satir-change-model.html

http://dhemery.com/pdf/managing_yourself_through_change.pdf

http://www.mcgeesmusings.net/2008/06/03/useful-models-of-systems-change/

http://www.jrothman.com/Papers/ManagerHealThyself.html

http://www.davecheong.com/2007/05/25/embrace-change-your-life-depends-on-it/