Unpleasant Change

Why is change so hard to implement? Beyond the fear of loss, there are at least two other key reasons. First, change often leads to digressions, detours, mid-course corrections, and even pettiness. People anticipate these unpleasant challenges and feel too tired, too busy, or too discouraged to deal with them. Somehow, they’d rather expend energy resisting change than put in the effort required to adapt. Second, by its very nature, change creates a degree of incompetence. Those who were once proficient—perhaps even celebrated —often find they are not well-suited to the new demands and requirements. People already operating at the edge of their competence are especially likely to resist change, fearing it will push them beyond their limits.