Many of us are reading Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard, the latest book by Chip and Dan Heath, which debuted at #1 on both the Wall Street Journal and New York Times. Given the subject matter of change and its alignment with what we are striving to do at the Danville Regional Foundation, I wanted to read it with the staff and  summer interns. Our  book discussion, was spirited. Our take aways, varied.

 

Switch asks a simple, but tough, question:  Why is it so hard to make lasting changes in our companies, in our communities, and in our own lives? The primary obstacle, say the Heaths, is a conflict that's built into our brains. Psychologists have discovered that our minds are ruled by two different systems-the rational mind and the emotional mind-that compete for control. The rational mind wants a great beach body; the emotional mind wants that Oreo cookie. The rational mind wants to change something at work; the emotional mind loves the comfort of the existing routine. This tension can doom a change effort-but if it is overcome, change can come quickly.  And no one says change is easy.

 

But we believe, that together, we can change. As individuals we can challenge each other to change the situation, which will result in changing the behavior. We can challenge each other to stretch ... reach beyond our comfort zones. We can challenge each other to see the possibility ... if we know where we're headed, change is easier. We can challenge each other to find the feeling ... when we feel passionate about something, we are more likely to change. If enough of us do this, it, like other behaviors, can become contagious.

 

We have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I invite each of you to join me on this journey to change. The region is no longer, nor will it ever be what it once was. The possibilities of what it can be, however, are limitless. The future is full of opportunities. Together, in the words of the Heath brothers, we can "shape the path."