Getting Others to Accept Your Changes

Within everyone there are two people: the person you are now, and the person you could become. That depends on your actions. Choose wisely.

The answer is that there is no simple answer. I'll share what has worked for me, but that won't work for everyone. When you're single and living alone, it's easy to make whatever changes you want to make -- but if you're married, you have to make compromises. You live in the space that is common between the two of you, and that is negotiated space. When you add kids to your life, you now live in a space that is common between all of you, also a negotiated space.

I've found a more effective method is to get all the people who will be affected in on the thinking process as early as possible. Don't talk to them about it when you're near the decision-making point ... talk to them when you first hear or read about the idea. Talk about why it's appealing to you. Get their input. Ask whether they'd consider that kind of change. Talk about your motivation. Include them every step of the way, until the decision is made, and even after.
If others won't get on board with your changes, ask for a minimum amount of support: ask that they give you the space to make the change on your own, without their help. This isn't a small thing sometimes -- often people are threatened when someone in their life makes changes, or they don't like the disruption of their routine of doing things with you (eating junk food together, for example). You doing something on your own is a big change for them.

People who should listen to this show are entrepreneurs, career & executive coaches