13.7 Conclusion

Change comes down to a choice. It’s simple, but it’s not easy. That’s why the Cycle of Change requires a significant emotional event up front. Personally, you know this is true. After all, how many goals have you set that you never really pursued, much less achieved?

Would you like to know why personal change is so hard? Let’s take a moment to talk about your brain, its physiology, and how you are wired to act. Figure 13.7 highlights a battle between two parts of your brain: the basal ganglia and your prefrontal cortex.

1. The Home of Habit. The basal ganglia is the part of your brain that acts like an autopilot. It is the home of habit.

2. The Driver of Decision. Your prefrontal cortex is the part of your brain that directs complex cognitive behavior. It is responsible for decision making.

Whenever you set a goal or have an impulse to do something, these two parts of your brain collide when the moment for action arrives. Imagine you set a goal to begin lifting weights at 6:00 am. What happens when your alarm goes off at 5:30 am? There is a good chance you hit the snooze button, thinking, “I’m tired—and I’m fine. I’ll lift tomorrow.” Your brain is on autopilot. If you wait for more than a few seconds to jump out of bed, your brain will kill the idea. This reaction isn’t just about early mornings or weightlifting. It’s true whenever you have a desire or impulse to do something new.

If you want to change, you need to engage the prefrontal cortex within five seconds by doing something, like getting out of bed. The act of physically doing something triggers the activation energy needed to get off autopilot and out of your comfort zone. Give it a try. Act on your impulses. And keep track of the times when you don’t act within five seconds. Imagine what you missed out on by not acting. The 5-second rule is a simple rule, but it’s not easy.

Final thought: Knowing what you need to do is not enough. You have lived this reality. Practicing the 5-second rule will help you break the inertia that is holding you back. Now that you know about the 5-second rule, figure out how to get your team members to use it as you implement lean six sigma—and future initiatives. Once you start moving and engage the Cycle of Change, you’ll find that proactive change isn’t as hard as you feared it would be. You can be a change leader!