Change is scary, but stagnation is scarier - The power of change management and 'small experiments'
Introduction: I want to change, but I can't
"I want to change."
You have probably thought that many times.
I want to try a new job.
I want to live in a new place.
I want to build new relationships.
I want to become a new version of myself.
But, I can't move.
"What if I fail?"
"I might lose my current life."
"What if it doesn't go well?"
"I'm not young anymore."
Thinking that, you can't take that first step.
And then, before you know it, you've been in the same place for years.
Nothing has changed.
In fact, the situation is getting worse.
This is stagnation.
If you are in that state right now,
if you feel like you want to change but can't,
I wrote this article for you.
Change is certainly scary.
The unknown is unsettling.
The risk of failure is real.
But did you know?
Stagnation is even scarier.
Stagnation quietly and surely steals away your potential.
Psychological research shows that
change has stages, methods, and can be started small.
And ancient wisdom teaches us the same thing.
'Ichigo Ichie' (Once in a lifetime encounter)
'Shogyo Mujo' (All things are impermanent)
'Flowing water never goes stale'
Today, I would like to explore with you how to take the first step toward change.
It doesn't have to be a big change.
You can start with small experiments.
Now, let's take the first step toward change together.
Table of Contents
Why is change scary?
The true fear of stagnation
The Stage Model of Change - Where are you now?
Stage 1: Precontemplation - 'I have no intention to change'
Stage 2: Contemplation - 'I want to change, but I'm scared'
Stage 3: Preparation - 'I am preparing to change'
Stage 4: Action - 'I have started to change'
Stage 5: Maintenance - 'I am continuing to change'
Wisdom of the ancients: Zen's 'Ichigo Ichie' (One time, one meeting)
Wisdom of the ancients: Laozi's 'Flowing water never goes stale'
The power of small experiments
7 steps to start changing
Step 1: Think of it as an 'experiment'
Step 2: Start with the minimum
Step 3: Set a deadline
Step 4: Observe the results
Step 5: Make adjustments
Step 6: Decide whether to continue or stop
Step 7: Start the next experiment
Learning by the name of failure
You can change
1. Why is change scary?
First, let's understand why change is scary.
Reason 1: Fear of the unknown
The human brain perceives the unknown as a threat.
This is an instinct acquired during the process of evolution.
The unknown might be dangerous.
Therefore, the known is safer.
This is an instinct for survival.
Reason 2: Loss aversion bias
In psychology, there is a concept called 'loss aversion bias'.
A human tendency to be more sensitive to what is lost than what is gained
is what this refers to.
Rather than what can be gained through change,
we focus on what is lost through change (current stability, familiar environment).
Therefore, we avoid change.
Reason 3: Collapse of self-image
There is an image of 'the current me'.
Change destroys this image.
'I am this kind of person'
It is scary for this conviction to be shaken.
Reason 4: Fear of failure
Change carries the risk of failure.
"If I fail, it will be embarrassing."
"If I fail, I will get hurt."
"If I fail, it's all over."
This fear stops change.
Reason 5: Energy depletion
Change consumes energy.
It is easier to continue your current life.
When you are tired or lack capacity,
the hurdle for change becomes even higher.
These are all normal reactions.
Being afraid of change does not mean you are weak.
It is because you are human.
2. The true fear of stagnation
So, what happens if you do not change?
Let's look at the true fear of stagnation.
Fear 1: Loss of potential
Not changing means closing off possibilities.
"What if" becomes "no longer possible."
As you age, your options narrow.
Time does not turn back.
Fear 2: Obsolescence of skills
The world is changing.
Even if you do not change, the world will.
Therefore, stagnation is actually regression.
If you stand still, you will be left behind.
Fear 3: Accumulation of regret
"I wish I had done it back then"
Stagnation breeds regret.
And regret weighs the heaviest at the end of life.
Fear 4: Decline in self-esteem
Not challenging yourself to change means
"I can't do it"
"It's impossible for me"
continuously sending these messages to yourself.
This erodes your self-esteem.
Fear 5: Shrinking of life
If you keep avoiding change,
your world becomes smaller.
Your experiences decrease.
Your learning decreases.
Your life shrinks.
Risk comparison: Stagnation vs. Change
Risks of change:
You might fail
You might become temporarily unstable
It requires energy
Risks of stagnation:
Losing potential (certain)
Skills becoming obsolete (certain)
Accumulating regrets (certain)
Lowering self-esteem (certain)
Life shrinking (certain)
Which one is scarier?
3. Stages of Change Model - Where are you now?
Psychologists Prochaska and DiClemente
divided the process of human change into five stages.
Stages of Change Model
Knowing which stage you are currently in
is the first step toward change.
4. Stage 1: Precontemplation 'No intention to change'
Characteristics:
Not recognizing the problem
Not feeling the need to change
'I'm fine as I am'
Example: 'My current job is fine'
'Health? No problem here'
For people in this stage:
First, they need an opportunity to look at their current situation.
'Are you really sure you're fine as you are?'
Ask this question.
5. Stage 2: Contemplation 'I want to change, but I'm scared'
Characteristics:
Feeling the need to change
But not yet taking action
'Someday', 'Eventually'
Example: 'I want to change jobs, but it's not possible yet'
'I think I need to exercise, but I can't get started'
For people in this stage:
Clarify the benefits of change and the disadvantages of stagnation.
And, I propose a small step.
Many people stop here.
6. Stage 3: Preparation Phase 'Preparing to change'
Characteristics:
Intending to take action in the near future
Starting small actions
Gathering information
Example: 'I will start job hunting next month'
'I went to visit a gym'
For people in this stage:
Make a concrete plan.
Clarify the first step.
7. Stage 4: Action Phase 'Started changing'
Characteristics:
Started taking action
Experiencing change
But, still unstable
Example: 'I have started job hunting'
'I am going to the gym twice a week'
For people in this stage:
Support is needed.
Acknowledge small successes.
Encourage them even if they face setbacks.
8. Stage 5: Maintenance Phase 'Continuing the change'
Characteristics:
Behavior has become a habit
The new you has taken root
However, if you let your guard down, you might revert
Example: 'Gotten used to the new workplace'
'Exercise has become a part of life'
For those in this stage:
Support for continuation.
Ways to prevent reverting.
Which stage are you in right now?
9. Wisdom of the ancients: Zen's 'Ichigo Ichie'
Regarding change, Zen teaches us deep wisdom.
Ichigo Ichie (One time, one meeting)
'This encounter will never happen again'
It is a term from the tea ceremony.
This moment is only now.
The same moment never comes twice.
Therefore, cherish the present.
Implications for change
There is no 'someday'.
There is no 'eventually' either.
All there is, is 'now'.
If you want to change, start now.
Today is the youngest day of your life.
Tomorrow, you will be older than you are today.
Stop waiting for 'someday' and live in the 'now'.
This is the teaching of ichigo ichie.
Impermanence (shogyo mujo)
A fundamental concept of Buddhism.
'Everything changes'
Nothing remains the same.
You, and the world, are constantly changing.
If so, there is no need to fear change.
Because change is natural.
10. Wisdom of the ancients: Laozi's 'Flowing water never rots'
Laozi said this.
Running water never goes stale
"Running water never goes stale"
Stagnant water will rot.
But running water remains clear.
Implications for life
Life is the same.
Those who keep changing are vibrant.
Those who stop will stagnate.
Continuing to move maintains clarity.
The value of flexibility
Laozi also said, "The soft and weak overcome the hard and strong."
Hard things break.
Soft things bend and survive.
Being flexible to change is strength.
11. The power of small experiments
Here, I will introduce an important concept.
**"Small experiments."**
What is experimental thinking?
View change not as a "decision," but as an "experiment."
Not "doing" or "not doing," but "trying it out."
This is experimental thinking.
Why experiment?
'Decisions' are heavy.
Once you decide to 'do it,' it feels like there is no turning back.
However, an 'experiment' is light.
'Just trying it out'
If it doesn't work, you can just stop.
You are just gathering data.
Benefits of experimentation
Low psychological hurdle It's easy to start if it's 'just a trial'
No fear of failure There is no failure in an experiment. Everything is a learning experience
Flexible adjustments You can make changes along the way
Start small You can start with the minimum
Maximize learning You can learn from experience
Experimental thinking makes change possible.
12. Seven steps to start change
So, how do you start specifically?
Small experiments Here are 7 steps for.
13. Step 1: Think of it as an 'experiment'
First, change your mindset.
Instead of 'changing', try 'experimenting'
Change your words
❌ 'Change jobs' ⭕ 'Try looking for a new job'
❌ 'Exercise every day' ⭕ 'Experiment with exercising for one week'
When your words change, your feelings become lighter.
Keep an experiment notebook
Keep an experiment notebook like a scientist.
'Hypothesis', 'Method', 'Result', 'Discussion'
Just by writing these down, you develop an experimental mindset.
14. Step 2: Start with the minimum
Keep experiments as small as possible.
Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
In the business world, there is a concept called MVP.
Minimum Viable Product
Don't aim for perfection; try it with the minimum.
Examples
❌ 'Go to the gym for an hour every day' ⭕ 'Exercise at home for just 10 minutes once a week'
❌ 'Write a novel' ⭕ 'Write just 100 characters every day'
❌ 'Make a complete career change' ⭕ 'Try it as a side job on the weekend'
The smaller it is, the easier it is to succeed.
15. Step 3: Set a deadline
Experiments need a deadline.
Why a deadline is necessary
Without a deadline, you will keep dragging it out.
Or, you will quit immediately.
Because there is a deadline, you can evaluate it.
Recommended duration
1-week experiment
2-week experiment
1-month experiment
It is recommended to start with 1 week first.
Examples
"Try meditating for 5 minutes every morning for 1 week"
"Try eating vegetables every day for 2 weeks"
"Try a side job for 1 month"
16. Step 4: Observe the results
During the experiment, observe the results.
What to observe
Changes in mood How did you feel?
Changes in behavior What changed?
Reaction of others How did others react?
Unexpected discoveries Were there any unexpected insights?
Record it
Make a simple note every day.
'Today's experiment: I did XX. Thoughts: XX'
That is all you need.
Observing deepens your learning.
17. Step 5: Adjust
You can adjust during the experiment.
Change flexibly
If '5 minutes of meditation every morning' is difficult,
change it to '3 minutes before going to bed at night'.
There is no need to do it perfectly.
Experiments are meant to be adjusted as you go.
18. Step 6: Decide whether to continue or stop
When the deadline arrives, evaluate it.
Three options
1. Continue It went well. I want to continue more.
2. Adjust and continue It went partially well. I will change it slightly and continue.
3. Stop It did not go well. I will try a different experiment.
Whichever you choose, it is the right answer.
What is important is the experience.
19. Step 7: Start the next experiment
Once one experiment is finished, start the next one.
Accumulating experiments
Life is a series of experiments.
By accumulating small experiments,
big changes will happen.
A year from now, you will be a different person.
20. Learning called failure
I will say something important here.
There is no such thing as failure in an experiment.
Failure does not exist
When an experiment does not go well,
it is not a 'failure,' but 'data.'
'This method does not work'
is what you have learned.
This is a success.
Edison's words
The inventor Edison said this.
"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."
This is what experimental thinking is all about.
Learning from failure
If an experiment doesn't go well,
think about "why it didn't work."
And then, apply that to your next experiment.
This is growth.
This is growth.
21. You can change
To you, who have read this far.
You want to change.
But you feel afraid.
That is normal.
Change is scary.
But stagnation is scarier.
And I want you to know this.
You can change.
It doesn't have to be a big change.
You just need to start a small experiment today.
"Give it a try"
These words will change everything.
Don't aim for perfection.
Don't fear failure.
Just try it out.
Just for one week.
Just for one day.
Just for one hour.
That alone will start your transformation.
And you will realize.
Change is not as scary as you thought.
In fact, it's exciting.
You can meet a new version of yourself.
Life is a series of experiments.
And those who enjoy experimenting enjoy life.
What is your first experiment?
What will you try today?
A small step is enough.
That step will eventually become a big change.
Do not fear change.
Fear stagnation.
And today, please start a small experiment.
You can do it.
You can change.
Now, let's begin the experiment.
P.S.
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