Change begins with Self

Posted on October 10, 2019 by Renu Goyal, One of Thousands of Executive Coaches on Noomii.

The word that is coming to mind today is “Cattleclass.” While the former Minister of External Affairs has referred to cattleclass as people travelling in economy class, I am more acutely aware of the existence of cattleclass mentality within us. Are you wondering what is cattleclass mentality? Well, its the mental challenge that the frogs face when they live in a well and are not able to come out of it even while wanting to.

Why the sudden reference to this demeaning word? Well, it all started with a blog post of a friend of mine. She has been battling cancer since 2010 which comes back with a vengeance year after year. The C word which is one of the most feared things in life was not new to this family when it invaded this friend’s body. But, against all odds, this family has stood together like a pyramid. Hats off to all of the family- who refuse to buckle down against the threat to their life and spirit. Their home is full of warmth, love and laughter and not once you can reckon the untold pain they all go through month over month, year over year. Not once the eyes seem weary and tired of the whole drama which is playing out in their life. In her Blog, Divya writes- “Pain is inevitable but suffering is optional” which translates to- “we all choose what we focus on in life and where we focus impacts the results we get”. We need to rise beyond small things in life and see the bigger picture. The word cattleclass mentality stayed in mind in context with this situation. When I tried to think about how I, and most of others would behave in a similar situation- I don’t like what I see. I see myself making great hue and cry about small things in life- wealth, health, education etc. etc.

So cattleclass mentality is when we refuse to wake up to the new ideas and realities of the world. We refuse to make changes to our lives despite being aware of what is good for us or what we need to do. I can bet that all of us have at least one thing in their life that they would like to change about themselves which will be helpful for them in the area of health, career, thought process, relationship, money or personal growth. What have we done to change that particular thing in our life?

I am conscious that I am a cattleclass in more ways than I like. I have always had a deep struggle to start something new in life. Taking the first step towards that new career that I so much wanted, and continued efforts to keep up with that desired change- I have found both extremely difficult. Years of working in MNC which followed 5 days work week culture- has made me so comfortable in that lifestyle, that now when I am on my entrepreneurial journey, I find that working all days a week is an effort. What has formed over the years cannot change with a blink of the eye, to develop new patterns in life we would require same amount of efforts- if not more.

So, how can we develop new patterns and no longer remain the frog in the well? Perseverance, tenacity, determination, resoluteness, doggedness, endurance – there are thousands of words which mean the same thing- persistence. The Oxford dictionary defines persistence as- continued or prolonged existence of something. If we are persistent in our efforts, success can be delayed but cannot elude us.

And yet, knowing all this, we are unable to start the process of transition. What will help to set things in motion?

Jack Canfield said- “Everything you want is on the other side of fear”. I take the liberty to modify this to say- “everything you want is on the other side of your comfort zone”. Define what you want in specific words, example- I want to loose 5 kgs. in 3 months time which can further be translated into a yet smaller goal of- I will walk for 10 mins. everyday, minimum 5 times a week for 2 weeks. In short, take baby steps toward one goal at a time. Since all these goals are also driven by external factors in life, it may or may not happen in the specified time period- the key here is to make a start.

The hardest part of any change, personal or organisational is, of course, starting. We wonder if we’re ready. Whether we have enough resources and support. If the time is right. If we have what it takes. The answers will always be uncertain. What is certain is that if we don’t act, nothing will change.