Create a sense of urgency

One of the first steps in change management, whether for companies or in a personal context, is creating a sense of urgency. Without urgency, the driving force that enables change is often missing. Let's be honest, change also means that obstacles will automatically arise, and we must overcome them. We also need to constantly persuade the inner voice that relishes every opportunity to discourage us. After all, the increased energy effort associated with change should be worthwhile. Urgency helps us make decisions faster, work with focus, ease fear, and stay committed.

In some situations, the necessary urgency is already present, such as when a termination notice arrives or a partner has broken up with us, and change is already knocking on the door. But in most cases, we find ourselves in a situation that, while generating dissatisfaction, doesn’t force change. So how can I create urgency that serves as a strong motivator for my change?

In my last post, I wrote about the 5 Pillars of Identity model. One approach could be to examine your life pillars and current situation to reflect on whether there’s room for improvement, and if so, where. This method can provide great motivation for change by challenging the status quo and simultaneously thinking of solutions that would lead to a higher evaluation of your life pillars.

Another option is to involve others. If I openly communicate to my circle that I’m unhappy with my weight because it’s affecting my health and that I’m signing up for a gym and will work out three times a week (IMPORTANT: set realistic goals), then I’ll have a support network that will keep an eye on this with me in the future. Ideally, I’ll also find someone to join me, and as we all know, shared "suffering" is halved, or to put it more positively, I’ll have a partner who can be my motivator.

I can also create urgency through positive feelings. In my coaching sessions, I often use the "perfect day" exercise. In this exercise, the coachee walks through their perfect day under guidance, from waking up to going to sleep, including all the feelings and thoughts that come with it. What are the first thoughts upon waking? What is the person most looking forward to today? What are they wearing, and how does that feel? Are they sitting alone at the breakfast table or with family? Or is there no breakfast at all? Do they work from home, or do they ride their bike to the office? What is the weather like, and how do they feel about it? Images and emotions arise that spark a desire for more.

So, to create urgency, it helps to examine the current situation and identify areas in need of change, find personal motivators, connect positive emotions to them, and perhaps even enlist a partner in crime.

If you need help creating your personal sense of urgency, feel free to contact me here.