The Change Formula - A simple model to get unstuck
The most effective model to get unstuck and create meaningful change in your life.
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The foundational reason people seek coaching, therapy, or really any sort of personal development…is change.
They want to change their behavior in ways that support their desired way of being or leading.
Here’s the dirty little secret…
Most people aren’t actually ready to shift the behaviors they are complaining about. They are simply aware that they don’t like what is happening, and are complaining about it.
This is why so many of us fall into the feeling of being stuck. Repeating the same patterns and unsure why change never takes hold.
As a coach, one of the first things I look at when someone is feeling stuck is not what they want to change, it is how ready they are for the change they say they want.
Enter, The Change Formula.
The Change Formula was introduced to me in The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership, one of my favorite books. The formula was originally developed by Richard Beckhard and David Gleicher, later refined by Kathie Dannemiller. The formula is simple, but profound:
D x V x FS > R = C
Translation: Vision x Dissatisfaction x First Steps > Resistance = Change.
For change to occur, all three of the other elements must be clear and present. If they are not, we’re unlikely to actually shift our behavior.
This formula helps us to clarify whether we are truly ready to change, or simply connected to something undesirable, but ultimately tolerable for us.
From this place of recognition, we have two options…
Articulate and clarify the vision, dissatisfaction and first steps so that we can move past resistance and create change.
Realize that while the behavior or circumstance we are experiencing is not ideal, we aren't actually ready or willing to take the necessary steps to change it. From this place, we can find more acceptance for the undesired circumstance and shift our attention onto areas where we are ready to do the work.
Understanding The Change Formula more deeply
Vision: What could be
Our vision is the destination. It’s our dream, our goal, the version of reality we want to live in. Without a clear and compelling vision, change feels arbitrary, even impossible. But when our vision is sharp, when it’s something that pulls us, it provides the clarity we need to navigate uncertainty.
Dissatisfaction: What sucks
Dissatisfaction is the second key ingredient. It’s the discomfort that drives us to move. And discomfort is a powerful motivator. When we’re deeply dissatisfied with the status quo, we naturally want to escape it. Yet, we often distract ourselves from this dissatisfaction through short-term fixes—dopamine hits like alcohol, food, new cars, vacations—anything to dull the pain of wanting something more, but not having the courage to change.
Instead of being distracted, in this step we get crystal clear on the dissatisfaction and articulate how it is holding us back and negatively impacting our lives. Feel the dissatisfaction fully and let it drive us forward.
First Steps: What is the next step
Vision and dissatisfaction alone won’t bring change. We need First Steps. Our first action is often the hardest, but it’s also the most important. It’s the gateway into progress. And, while fear may be there, lurking… “Action cures fear” as James Clear says in Atomic Habits.
Each action we take is a vote for the person we want to become.
Resistance: The Internal Battle
Finally, we come to Resistance. This is the barrier between where we are and where we want to be. This is the fear we have about what would happen if we really tried to change. This is the anxiety we feel around the energy output required. This is about our hesitation to take action and step into discomfort.
For change to occur, those first three elements must be greater than our resistance. If they aren’t, then it is typically not going to be useful to focus on change yet.
There is a great quote in the 15 commitments book, “Trying is wanting credit for something you never intend to do.” You’re either all in or you’re not. No middle ground. Change doesn’t tolerate half-measures.
Putting The Change Formula to work
So, what do you want to change?
Maybe it is…
The way you avoid difficult conversations.
A toxic culture at work.
A bad habit or addiction that is holding you back.
Whatever it is, try and work through the change formula and see what you come up with.
If you have a client or family member who is feeling stuck, work them through the same process and see what they come up with.
—
While the formula is helpful for engineering meaningful change, the real shift happens when we begin to embrace the mindset of taking 100% responsibility for our lives.
Real change starts to happen when we realize that we are responsible for the quality of our relationships, career and satisfaction in life.
When we see the world through this lens of ownership, we find a renewed sense of motivation to step into the unknown and commit to the process.
If we are going to use The Change Formula, I highly encourage us to do so from this vantage point of full ownership.
For those who’d like a quick summary, we’ve condensed the key points of The Change Formula, take a look at it here.