Ten Reasons Why People Resist Change
People who appear to be resisting change may simply be the victim of bad habits. Habit, like gravity, never takes a day off.― Paul Gibbons
It is said that the only thing that is constant in life is change. However, when it comes to changing ourselves, many of us find it difficult to do. We get stuck in our ways and resist change even though we know it is best for us.
Everyone wants to change, but not everyone is willing to work. This is especially true when it comes to our personal development. There’s a difference between thinking “I should do blah” and doing it. It’s hard for us humble humans to take action on the things we want most. For one reason or another, we lack motivation. Maybe it’s because we don’t have a good enough reason to change, or perhaps we’re afraid of what others will think. Whatever it is, here are ten reasons why people resist change:
1- They aren’t serious
The chances are that you’ve said something like this before: “I’m going to change.” This statement usually comes up when a person realizes they’ve made a mistake and need to change. But the truth is, very few people are serious about it. It’s easy to recognize problems with other people, especially those who aren’t going through them themselves. However, seeing your issues takes a lot of self-awareness and humility.
2- They think they’re perfect
It’s rare for a person to be humble enough to say, “I know I’m not perfect.” Of course, no one is constantly aware of their own mistakes and faults. But when it comes down to the wire, most people will resort back to believing in themselves. This self-centeredness causes a person to feel that they only need minor tweaks here and there to be better. For example, someone might constantly criticize their partner but never look inwardly at themselves. In reality, people with this mindset usually need the most help because they lack insight into their issues.
3- They don’t have a good reason
It can be tricky trying out new things with no motivation insight. How can someone expect to change when they don’t know why it’s necessary? Without a good reason to make the switch, people will likely fall back into their old habits. This creates significant life changes so tricky because it requires more thought and effort than most are willing to put in.
4- They think they’ll get comfortable
Many of us might have something that we’re secretly afraid of losing. I’m talking about comfort zones here. Let’s face it – many people aren’t satisfied or happy with their lives at all times. There are highs and lows, but these emotions never last long before they come crashing down again. This cycle continues throughout life, while others eventually snap out of it. Those who don’t fear the unknown and cling to what is familiar. This mindset requires them to make as few changes as possible. They’ll even go as far as convincing themselves that their current situation isn’t so bad after all.
Read : The Pains of Progress – Why Change is Hard
5- They lack patience and have other priorities
People want immediate results from their efforts, but this isn’t how it works. It takes time for most good things in life, and change is no different. When a person doesn’t get immediate feedback or rewards, they grow impatient and give up altogether. Picture someone going to the gym every week without noticing any significant results for months on end – they’re not likely to stick around long enough to see anything worthwhile happen. I’m sure some people have changed in their lives, but there is a reason why they didn’t stick around. When it comes down to it, everyone has different priorities and goals. Some of us might be more concerned about our careers while others worry about family life. These other aspects overshadow personal development for many people because they don’t see the immediate need for it.
6- They lack focus & self-control
People often point out that willpower is key to any positive change. Most things indeed take work and discipline, but there are some cases where motivation alone isn’t enough. Let’s say someone wants to stop drinking or smoking; for example – this person still needs the discipline required to resist temptation every day. Without proper self-control, people risk falling back into old habits because it feels too easy for them. People constantly changing their minds or interests rarely stick with anything long enough to see success. Life is already full of distractions, so commitment and dedication to personal development are necessary. For most, these two things would likely come naturally, but not everyone has the same capacity for self-improvement.
7- They don’t have a support system
It can be an uphill battle trying to change something alone without any encouragement from others. People need feedback and motivation from those closest to them to succeed. Those who go it alone tend to quickly give up because they feel isolated and disconnected from the world. The last thing they want to feel is alone, so it’s much easier for them to fall back into old habits. It can be challenging to stick with a new workout routine when no one in your life understands what you’re going through. Similarly, it’s hard to improve your career when everyone expects you to fail or make excuses. It would be naïve for anyone to think that others don’t influence their decisions in some way, shape, or form – this is why a robust support system is required to create sustainable change in the long term.
8- They stay comfortable instead of pushing their limits.
Some people are okay with living outside their comfort zone, but others avoid discomfort at all costs. This mindset prevents them from moving forward because they’d rather stay within their boundaries. This isn’t always a bad thing, though, as it is essential to be mindful of one’s limits. The real problem arises when comfort takes over entirely and refuses to push themselves into the unknown. People who give up often assume that failure is inevitable. When they first set out, these individuals are full of motivation, but this gradually dies down over time. As new challenges arise, they begin to lose hope because they can see no way for things to work out in their favor. These people may have initially believed in themselves but chose instead to consider what their inner critic was telling them instead.
9- They haven’t taken the time to reflect on their behavior.
People who dismiss self-improvement usually aren’t prepared to take a good look at themselves. Without taking the necessary time and dedication, these individuals won’t ever know if they have a problem to begin with. They go through their days by doing what they always do, even if it’s hurting them in the process. Some people make impulsive decisions without ever stopping and thinking first. When you let your emotions control you, this often leads to regret. This isn’t always the case, but ignoring logic is never a good idea. It only takes one mishap to go sour because these people are thinking with their hearts instead of their heads.
10- Failure is not an option for them.
Self-improvement isn’t about winning or losing – it’s about trying again after failing. People often get discouraged when things don’t work out right away, but this shouldn’t be the end of anything. These individuals can’t see the positive aspects of persevering because all they care about is reaching their destination as soon as possible. They fail to see that there are many roads leading to Rome. People who fail tend to get discouraged by even the smallest of slip-ups. This is why they tend to beat themselves up over things out of their control. They tend not to realize that everyone struggles at times – it’s part of being human. The difference between successful and unsuccessful individuals lies within how long or short they stay in this state. You can either allow temporary defeat to define you or use it.
After all of this, what can we learn about people and change? People are creatures of habit. We like to stick to what is comfortable for us. Change means taking a risk, and most people don’t like to take risks. In order for someone to change, they have to believe that the outcome of the change will be better than the status quo. And finally, change requires effort–more effort than most people are willing to put in. So if you want someone to change, you need to make it worth their while.