Change is a thread that runs through all areas of life and business. Our world is changing fast and, as such, people must adapt very quickly. I am currently experiencing change in two large areas of life; career and school. While I am excited about the new studies the change is overwhelming and uncertainty about my next career step leaves me wondering what lesson the universe is bringing to me.

The concept of “change management” is a familiar one in businesses today but I wondered how the theories could be used in my own personal experiences. Could I manipulate the concepts from a business focus to one of a personal approach?

One of the models for understanding organizational change was developed by Kurt Lewin back in the 1950s, and still holds true today. His model is known as Unfreeze – Change – Refreeze and refers to the three-stage process of change. Lewin a physicist as well as social scientist, explained organizational change using the analogy of changing the shape of a block of ice.

If you have a large cube of ice, but realize that what you want is a cone of ice, what do you do? First you must melt the ice to make it amenable to change (unfreeze). Then you must mold the iced water into the shape you want (change). Finally, you must solidify the new shape (refreeze).

By looking at change as a process with distinct stages you can prepare yourself for what is coming and make a plan to manage the transition – looking before you leap, so to speak.

To begin any successful change process, you must first start by understanding why the change needs to take place.

Unfreeze
This first stage of change involves preparing to accept that change is necessary which involves break down the existing status quo before you can build up a new way of thinking.

For an organization you need to start at its core – you need to challenge the beliefs, values; attitudes and behaviours that currently define it. Using the analogy of a building you must examine and be prepared to change the existing foundations.

By forcing myself to re-examine my core I hope to create a (controlled) crisis, which in turn I can build a strong motivation to seek out a new scenario and options.

Change
After the uncertainty created in the unfreeze stage; the change stage is where I hope to resolve my uncertainty and look for new ways of doing things. Hoping to believe and act in ways that support the new direction.

The transition from unfreeze to change does not happen overnight: People take time to embrace a new direction.

Refreeze
When the changes start taking shape and I have embraced the new ways of thinking I am ready to refreeze. The refreeze stage needs to help internalize the changes. This means making sure that the changes are used all the time; and that they are incorporated into everyday thinking.

As part of the Refreezing process, make sure that you celebrate the success of the change – this helps you to find closure, allows you to thank yourself for enduring a painful time and helps you to believe that future change will be successful.

Practical Steps for Using this Framework:

Unfreeze
1. Determine what needs to change. Survey your environment to understand the current state. Understand why change has to take place.
2. Create the need for change. Create a compelling message as to why change has to occur. Use your vision and goals as supporting evidence. Emphasize the “why”.

Change
1. Communicate to yourself often. Visualize the benefits and prepare for what is coming.
2. Empower action.
3. Involve your support system in the process. Generate short-term successes to reinforce the change

Refreeze
1. Anchor the changes into your personal culture. Identity what supports the change. Identify barriers to sustaining change.
2. Develop ways to sustain the change. Create a reward system.
3. Celebrate success!

Life is in a constant state of change. Some are profound like losing your job and others are as simple as choosing to walk home a new way. Start working on your plan right away it does not have to be a big thing. Once you increase stability in one area, choose another. Wherever there is uncertainty, confusion or conflict there is also hope. Hope is the energy that helps you cope and move through the tough spots in life. Very simply hope is the “yes” to life.