Imagine you are at the helm of a huge ship moving forward at high speed.  You’re the driver, you control the direction of this ship. Now, how is it possible for a single, small person to change the course of something so massive?

To change the ship’s course, you move a steering wheel that operates a rudder, which then turns the ship. But the rudder itself can be enormous, perhaps even ten stories tall on some ocean liners. So what moves the rudder?

A tiny second rudder called a trim tab, which is attached to the big rudder.

Through the marvels of engineering, when the trim tab swings to one side, it creates just enough vacuum to pull the big rudder around. The trim tab is tiny compared to the size and weight of the ship, yet it is the trim tab that determines the ship’s course.

 Now, when you think: “how can I possibly create change in my organization,” think of being a trim tab. Your small actions, your work in your circle of influence can create, over time, a big impact on your organization.

 Far too many people are not engaged in their work, they are neither fulfilled nor excited, most of all they feel powerless to change anything, and they blame it on the organization or their boss or their lack of authority. In truth you are the creative force of your own job and life. No matter what role you play, your contribution can make a difference. You can become a trim tab.  How? Simply by focusing on what you can do even if it’s outside of your job description and make small adjustments and improvements along the way.

So how can you become a trim tab? What is one small adjustment that you can make today to put you on this path? I would love to hear from you.

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Over the years I have discovered 5 key barriers that keep us from making the progress we want to make. 

1.   Fear of the unknown and general uncertainty:

At times we allow ourselves to lock-up with fear and become paralyzed with uncertainty. Because change is happening so rapidly we fear the potential negative effects of what is going on around us. 

Fear and worrying about things we cannot control, will waste much of our energy.  We will never regret putting our energy where our biggest leverage points are in our life, and focusing on the things that we can control instead of those we cannot.

2.   No compelling reason to change:

Simply put without a clear compelling reason to change, improve, and grow most people will not change.  We tend to live within our comfort zones.  In an ever-changing world, living in the comfort zone can be a very dangerous place.

Creatively thinking or actively approaching new situations with fresh ideas and behaviors can help us build a core around learning, growing and changing.  Creating a clear inspiring reason to change makes all the difference.

3.   Lack of vision for  a better future:

Without vision we fail.  Clear, long-term goals can make a huge difference in our lives.  Over our lives we will create what we believe, and believe what we achieve, first in our minds then in our actions.  You have been given unique talents and abilities that will allow you to contribute to the world in a marvelous manner and leave a great legacy, regardless of your color, culture, and economic status in life.

Your vision or long-term goals should inspire you to do things differently every day, every week, every month and every year.

 4 .   We don’t know how to change:

The concept of making needed changes in our lives can be overwhelming.  Change is not easy.  It requires effort and focus.  Having a proven process can really help move things along.  Weight Watchers has a great process to help people lose weight and improve their health.  It is built around counting calories through a points system, making choices, and changing your thinking and behavior about food.   It breaks everything down for you and has proven to work for millions.

Friends, mentors, coaches and teachers are great sources of information to help you pick a clear process to change, no matter what change you want to make…their successful personal experiences, how they changed,  can help you change and in turn when you change, you can help others change. 

5.   No accountability to change:

With out someone you love and trust to hold you accountable to a new and better future, the likelihood of change springing up all on its own is low.  Once we have laid bad habit tracks they are so easy to return to, unless we have some sort of intervention. 

The key here is that “its all about the love”.  The accountability that is needed is one of encouragement and support. Connect with people in your life that lift you and love you.  We all need more friends that believe in us.

Never underestimate the power we have to change ourselves as we get rid of fear, create meaning, establish a clear vision, work with a proven process, and surround ourselves with people who love us and support our desire to learn, grow and change for the good.

How have you enabled change in your life? How did you remove the mental roadblocks that stood in the way of change? What has helped you?

I would love to hear from you.

Author: Sam Bracken, Global Director of Product Management Marketing, FranklinCovey

You’re not alone.

I mean, there are still other people in your organization, right?

Tip#2: Embrace Others

Odds are, when you’re working fast and furious, there is probably someone, somewhere in your organization that may have some downtime, or they’re worried about not being aligned with strategic projects. Find them. Grab them. Capitalize on their skills. And have them chip in. People are generally happier when they’re engaged and contributing. Sure, quality might slip a bit and it might take longer for you to get that project done. But there is a huge feeling of relief when you delegate a task to someone and you go back to your office and are able to tackle something else. And there is an even better feeling when they come back to you and the project is finished and better than if you did it yourself.

 In The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey outlines the principle of abundance. What this means is that there is always enough work for me and you, and the person in the office down the hall. Don’t be afraid to relinquish a bit of control over your projects. It will only benefit you and the people you bring into your circle. Your projects will get done better than before and you’ll be helping other people become engaged.

In my next post I’ll cover Tip #3: Plan or Perish.

Author: Matt Murdoch, FranklinCovey