"Change And The Fear Of Being Alone"
In the past I worked as a trainer for Who Moved My Cheese? Strange company name I know. At that time the company provided training based on the strategies from the book of the same name. It is a runaway best seller, and is still one of the top business books sold on Amazon-and it was published in 1998!
I won't spoil the book for you. There is one amazing moment in the story, however, when the reader realizes that one of the main character's biggest reasons for not changing is his fear of being alone. All the facts as well as his instincts are telling him to change-but he just won't take action because he is afraid of severing ties with one of his friends who is resisting change.
Too many times I see people unwilling to chart a new course with their work or life because they are afraid of being alone-of making a choice that will take them away from those who are familiar. If you have ever moved to a new community or taken a new job with another company you know the feeling. Just last week after a training program I talked with an employee in a large company who wants to initiate some small changes in his department. He had some fantastic ideas and when I asked him why he had not already spoken up to others on his team, his response was all too familiar-I'm afraid that others won't go along with the changes.
What is ironic is that striking out on your own may be the only thing that gets others moving. When you make a change for the better it could be the wake up call that gets others to sit up and take notice. By actually being willing to be alone for awhile, you may be the inspiration that gets others to move forward as well. And if they aren't willing to make the changes with you... you have to weigh the cost to you as in individual.
Lastly, remember that you won't be alone for long. Just like moving to a new community, you will soon begin developing new relationships and connections-probably with people who, like you, were afraid of being alone-but knew that it was a small price to pay for the benefits they are now experiencing.
