Review written by Julie Perrine, CAP-OM, MBTI Certified
As I’ve been working on some research projects and facing some big personal changes over the past year, I discovered a book that has been very inspiring and helpful to me throughout that journey. The book is called, The First 30 Days: Your Guide To Making Any Change Easier by Ariane de Bonvoisin.
If there is one constant in life, it’s change. No matter how much you may think you don’t like change or you resist change, the truth is we all experience it in some way each and every day. Some changes are good, some changes are not so great. We experience changes in the weather and seasons, changes in our personal growth and development, changes in our relationships, changes in our roles and responsibilities…the list goes on and on. And while some changes we experience may have a more significant impact (e.g. changing jobs, having a child, losing a loved one, getting promoted), the mindset we embrace and the process we go through to adapt to the constant changes in our lives can either leave us stressed and stuck or lead us forward in our lives with clarity and hope.
If you’re facing some changes that have you feeling stuck, stressed, or a bit apprehensive, I highly recommend this book. Ariane de Bonvoisin’s book boasts that it “provides the tools to make each change a new beginning, whether it’s a change you wanted to make or one brought on by a situation out of your control. Ariane introduces nine principles that will help you develop an optimistic mind-set toward change, an attitude that encourages you to see that life is on your side and that good can come from even the most difficult circumstance.” I can tell you from personal experience in applying these principles that they do work.
Here are Ariane’s nine principles of change:
(Note: You can also read more about these at www.first30days.com)
- Principle 1: People who successfully navigate change have positive beliefs.
- Principle 2: People who successfully navigate change know that change always brings something positive into their lives.
- Principle 3: People who successfully navigate change know they are resilient, strong, and capable of getting through anything.
- Principle 4: People who successfully navigate change know that every challenging emotion they feel is not going to stop them and will guide them to positive emotions that help them feel better.
- Principle 5: People who successfully navigate change know that the quicker they accept the change, the less pain and hardship they will feel.
- Principle 6: People who successfully navigate change use empowering questions and words, think better thoughts, and express their feelings.
- Principle 7: People who successfully navigate change know they are connected to something bigger than themselves.
- Principle 8: People who successfully navigate change are not alone; they surround themselves with people who can help, who have the right beliefs and skills. And they create an environment that supports their change.
- Principle 9: People who successfully navigate change take action. They have a plan and know how to take care of themselves.
“Progress is impossible without change, and those who
cannot change their minds, cannot change anything.”
~George Bernard Shaw
What I loved the most about this book was it not only thoroughly explained each of the nine principles and taught me how to apply them and change my thinking, it helped me map out a plan of action to achieve the desired results. It’s as much a workbook as it is a guidebook. Each chapter ends with a summary of the top points to remember, so when you need a quick boost or a refresher, all you need to do is scan through those summaries and you’re off and running again. It doesn’t matter if the change you are facing is related to your career, finances, relationships, or health, the principles are still the same.
“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage.
If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it.
Go out and get busy.”
~Dale Carnegie
With a new year of change, growth, and opportunity upon us, don’t let fear, doubt, and worry stop you in your tracks. Take action! Learn how to use your “Change Muscle”, apply the nine principles Ariane gently guides you through, and create a plan that ensures positive outcomes to ANY change in life you may face this year and beyond.
© 2012 Julie Perrine International, LLC
HOW TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER OR WEBSITE
Want to use this article in your newsletter, ezine or website? You can — just as long as you include this complete blurb with it:
Julie Perrine, CAP-OM, is the founder and CEO of All Things Admin, providing training, mentoring and resources for administrative professionals worldwide. Julie applies her administrative expertise and passion for lifelong learning to serving as an enthusiastic mentor, speaker and author who educates admins around the world on how to be more effective every day. Learn more about Julie’s books — The Innovative Admin: Unleash the Power of Innovation in Your Administrative Career and The Organized Admin: Leverage Your Unique Organizing Style to Create Systems, Reduce Overwhelm, and Increase Productivity. And request your free copy of our special report “From Reactive to Proactive: Creating Your Strategic Administrative Career Plan” at www.AllThingsAdmin.com.
