Written by: Wayne Elsey, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Change is hard. Whether adopting a new habit, breaking an old one, or making a significant transition, most struggle to make meaningful changes. So, what are those meaningful changes? You know, they’re the ones that last beyond a week to 10 days. They’re the ones that become who you are as a person, and they're for the long term. So what if there was a science of change? Well, there is.
We could hack our brains to make change easier. Yes, you read that right. Everything is science-based these days and increasingly proven. Therefore, we can leverage the latest findings from psychology and neuroscience to rewire our brains, thought patterns, behaviors, and emotions. So, let’s explore the science of change that provides innovative strategies to transform your life. Doing so will take you to the next life or business goal.
The Power of Self-Awareness
The first step in the science of change is that making any change requires awareness of our existing thought patterns, behaviors, and emotions. In short, you don't know much about yourself if you're not aware. As a result, self-awareness is the foundation of personal growth, and it can help us identify areas where we need to make changes.
However, self-awareness isn’t easy to achieve. It requires us to be honest with ourselves, acknowledge our flaws and limitations, and seek feedback from others. In other words, honesty is the key. One way to cultivate self-awareness is through mindfulness and meditation. These practices involve paying attention to our thoughts and emotions without judgment.
The Neuroscience of Habits
Habits are automatic behaviors that we engage in without conscious thought. They’re formed and reinforced in the brain through a process called neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to change in response to different experiences. And it's a mechanism that allows us to learn new habits when the old ones no longer serve us.
In short, to break a bad habit, we must disrupt the neural pathways supporting it. One way to do it is through the power of visualization. By visualizing and repeating a new behavior in our minds, we can start to rewire our brains and create new habits. Another approach is to build a support network and surround ourselves with people who motivate us to change.
The Psychology of Motivation
Here’s the scoop; Motivation is the fuel that drives change. But it can seem elusive and hard to sustain in the long term. Motivation is driven by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Intrinsic motivation comes from within and is driven by our values and interests. Extrinsic motivation comes from external rewards, such as money or recognition. To boost motivation, we need to understand the psychology behind it.
One way to boost motivation is through gamification. Gamification involves turning a task into a game by adding a sense of fun and competition. Creating a game-like environment allows us to tap into our intrinsic motivation and make change more enjoyable. Another method to boost motivation is through positive reinforcement, like rewarding ourselves for progressing toward our goals. Make it a point to celebrate our successes, no matter how small, and create a positive feedback loop.
The Emotions of Change
Change can be emotional and sometimes painful. Why? Well, for one, it's often uncomfortable and places us in situations we're not 100% sure we'll succeed in doing. But that's the fun of life and business, isn't it? So, to manage our emotions during change, we need to develop emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage our feelings, as well as the emotions of others.
One way to build emotional intelligence is through the power of reframing. Reframing involves changing how we think about a situation to see it more positively. When we're facing a change that triggers negative emotions, such as fear or anxiety, we can reframe the situation by focusing on the potential benefits or opportunities. By shifting our perspective, we can create a more positive emotional state and increase our motivation to make the change.
The Social Science of Change
Change doesn't happen in a vacuum—it's influenced by our networks and the people around us. Therefore, to leverage the influence of others for positive change, we need to know the science of change as it relates to our social lives. For instance, social influence is the power people have to shape our attitudes and behaviors. That’s why who we have in our lives matters. Do you spend time with open-minded or close-minded people?
One way to leverage the social influence of others is through accountability. By sharing our goals with others and making ourselves accountable to them, we create a sense of social pressure that motivates us to follow through on our commitments. Think of it. Once you put out what you want to do, you want to succeed in doing it. So, once you decide, tell others of your plans—especially those who are open-minded.
Change Isn’t Impossible
Sure, change is hard—but it's not impossible. It’s a catalyst for growth and transformation. As we navigate the challenges and uncertainties of life, we have the power to shape our own destinies by embracing the science of change. By tapping into the science of change, we break free from limiting beliefs, cultivate positive habits, and embrace new opportunities.
As a result, we become the architects of our own lives, empowered to create a brighter future for ourselves and for those around us. So, let’s embark on this journey of self-discovery and growth with open hearts and minds, knowing that anything is possible when we are willing to take the first step.
© 2023 Wayne Elsey. All Rights Reserved.
Wayne Elsey, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Wayne Elsey is the founder and CEO of Elsey Enterprises. Among his independent brands, he is also the founder and CEO of Funds2Orgs. This social enterprise helps nonprofits, schools, churches, civic groups, individuals, and others raise funds while helping to support micro-enterprise (small business) opportunities in developing nations and the environment.
