We recently had a smart-meter fitted to track our electricity usage which the radio advert reliably informs me will ‘reduce energy use’. But it won’t do that on its own! I need to do a number of things. Firstly, I need to Notice it is there and what it is telling me. If I ignore the feedback it gives me, I am no further forward. Once I notice when it changes and the readings it gives, I need to Evaluate them. It moves from green to amber when the kettle is on, but I think I will still have that cup of tea! Lastly, I need to Do something with the information it gives me. Since it moves into red when the tumble dryer is on, I might opt to hang my washing out on a sunny day.
Any change we try to make needs the same three step process. Firstly, you need to notice what is currently happening, get feedback, track your own reactions, behaviours and emotions. Secondly, evaluate the information. If people say you can be assertive is that something you want to change, or actually justified and necessary. There may be times you want to demonstrate emotion, and other times it is not appropriate. The awareness gives you options to make decisions. The decision is then what you want to do about it. If you want to effect change, you need to do something different. Just as my smart meter will not reduce my energy use, a resolution will change nothing. Notice, Evaluate and Do something about it.
What do you need to take Notice of in order to change?
What does your Evaluation tell you about what is needed?
What do you need to DO as a result of your evaluation to effect a change?