The calendar has flipped to a new year, and your social media feed is undoubtedly flooded with posts about resolutions, goals, and "new year, new me" declarations. But what if I told you that January isn't actually the ideal time for everyone to be setting ambitious goals? What if, instead, this month should be dedicated to something far more fundamental: understanding where you are in the Change Cycle?
Martha Beck's Change Cycle framework offers an illuminating perspective on this. Imagine a square divided into four quadrants, each representing a distinct phase of change and transformation. Understanding where you are within this cycle is far more valuable than arbitrarily setting goals just because the calendar says it's January.
Square One: Death and Rebirth
Perhaps you've just experienced a major life shift – it might be something wonderful like landing your dream job or welcoming a child into your life, or something more challenging like the end of a relationship. Regardless of whether the catalyst is positive or negative, Square One represents a profound departure from your previous normal. If you're here, setting ambitious goals might be premature. This is a time for processing the full spectrum of emotions that come with significant change and allowing yourself to be present with both the uncertainty and possibility that lie ahead.
Square Two: Dreaming and Scheming
Here your imagination awakens to new possibilities. This is where the fog of Square One begins to lift, revealing glimpses of potential futures. Your mind starts connecting dots in new ways, and you may find yourself filled with innovative ideas and fresh perspectives. While this creative energy aligns well with the traditional January goal-setting mindset, remember that you can't force yourself into this phase – it emerges organically as you move through Square One's transformation.
Square Three: The Hero's Saga
This is where vision meets reality. This is the phase of active implementation, where you're navigating obstacles, developing new skills, and doing the tangible work of transformation. The excitement of Square Two meets the resistance of the real world, requiring persistence, adaptability, and resilience. If you're here, January might be better spent reinforcing your existing commitments and celebrating your progress rather than adding new initiatives to your plate. This is your time to stay the course and trust the process you've begun.
Square Four: The Promised Land
"Square Four: The Promised Land" represents integration and mastery. You've established new patterns, developed competencies, and found your rhythm. While this stability might seem like the perfect launch pad for new goals, it's worth examining whether the urge to change comes from genuine inspiration or merely from the cultural pressure of New Year's resolutions. Sometimes, the wisest choice is to fully inhabit and appreciate the systems and successes you've already built.
A Different Approach to January
Instead of rushing to set goals, take time to locate where you are within the Change Cycle. Ask yourself:
- Have I recently experienced any major changes or disruptions, whether positive or challenging?
- Am I still processing a significant transition?
- Where do I feel most aligned in this cycle?
- What does this phase actually need from me?
Your location within the cycle should inform your approach to the new year. If you're in Square One, focus on processing and integration. In Square Two? Then yes, perhaps this is your time for vision boards and goal-setting. Square Three? Double down on your existing commitments. And if you're in Square Four, consider whether new goals serve you or whether this is a time to simply appreciate and maintain what you've built.
This January, give yourself permission to step outside the traditional resolution rush. Instead, invest time in understanding where you are within the Change Cycle. Only then can you make conscious choices about where to focus your precious time and energy in the months ahead. Sometimes, the most productive thing we can do is simply understand and honor our current position in the cycle of change.
Where are you within the Change Cycle? That's the real question worth exploring now.
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