In David Brooks' recent book, The Social Animal, he quotes an East Coast researcher as saying that the unconscious mind has 200,000 times the processing power of the conscious mind. Furthermore, the human psyche is much more attuned to maintaining the status quo than embarking on a new course of action. Thus, it is easy to see why change can be so hard to implement - our unconscious mind works hard to repeat its current behavior.
 

New behavior generally means confronting old habits. This can be difficult - and uncomfortable - and our unconscious mind often resists making such a change. As we are often unaware of this inherent unconscious opposition, making a change often engenders resistance instead of moving us forward.
 

Part I: Preparing for a Change

Rule # 1: Change Requires Total Commitment
 

Do not work to make a change unless you are 100% committed to making the change. Knowing that we are often emotionally (unconsciously) opposed to change, it is critically important to contemplate our level of commitment.
 

Measure your level of intention: is it 100%?
 

Rule #2: Change Involves Risk
 

Recognize that change involves innovation, and innovation involves risk. The risk may be financial or emotional. It may involve having to deal with uncertainty or looking bad. Regardless of the nature of the risk, it is important to anticipate this cost. That is why commitment is such an important prerequisite. It makes taking the risk more palatable.
 

Make risk evaluation - including the possibility of failure - part of your change program.
 

Rule #3: Change Requires Persistence
 

Rules #1 and #2 point out that change is often difficult. It's important to recognize that making a change, no matter how worthwhile, is often not as easy as you might have hoped.
 

Be realistic about the costs of making a change.
 

Part II: Execution - Making the Change
 

Having taken into consideration the emotional preparation necessary for a change, let us assume you are committed to moving forward. Now you need a plan of action.

Rule #4: Have a Plan
 

Your plan needs three interconnected parts.

• First, have a clearly-defined objective: "I will complete this project by this date."
• Next, have a well-defined strategy: "I will use actions a, b, and c to help me achieve my objective."
• Finally, "I will take specific actions by a certain date."

Of course, the action must use the strategies you've selected to achieve your objective by its deadline.

Checklist: Getting That Project Done