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Development only occurs when you are motivated to do something differently. Motivation is created when the consequences associated with making a change are perceived as better than the consequences of the status quo. Find your motivation. Ask yourself and others: what’s at risk if I don’t develop this competency? Or differently, “what can be gained if I am stronger in this area?”

Substantive change generally requires six months to a year of focused effort.  It’s relatively easy to modify behavior in a particular way for a short period, but sustainable, substantive change generally requires an underlying shift in attitude or personal values. These shifts happen over the longer term.  

Perception lags reality.  Don’t get discouraged if at first people don’t see or acknowledge the changes you’re making.  Generally, others will need to see new behaviors consistently for a period before their perceptions begin to shift and before they will affirm improvement via feedback. 

Reflecting on key learnings accelerates development.  Use the journaling approach throughout the year. Take time to capture lessons learned and integrate meaning. Forming new personal rules of thumb and do’s and don’ts will help you to more naturally incorporate new behaviors into your repertoire.