Small Biz Franchise Blog

Franchisees –Do You Need to Change Your Lenses?

Posted on October 20, 2009 by Lizette Pirtle

To fully reap the benefits of a new venture, we need to learn to adopt new perspectives. Many of us tend to hang on to the past. We start something new while grabbing on to the old with one hand, afraid to let go of the familiar. This is natural; it arises from our fear of change. Yet, as long as we are hanging on to the old, we can’t fully enter the new and enjoy all the benefits it has to offer.

Franchisors and franchisees often fail to recognize the magnitude of change required of a person who joins the franchise. They have to totally alter what they do for a living, how and where they do it, and often even when they do it. But these are all habits of doing and although not complety easy, with time, training and perseverance new ones are formed. A different kind of habit deals with our perspective, with our habitual way of “thinking” and “seeing” and it’s often the most difficult habit to change.

We need a new set of lenses to fully appreciate and be able to respond to new conditions. Changing the way we habitually think and see is thus pivotal to our success in any new venture. Many franchisees get frustrated when they realize that their old ways, which previously produced success, don’t have the same result in the franchise. They try to apply logic forgetting that the context is different and thus the results will be different.

So, how do we do it? How can franchisees or anyone else learn to change the way they think? Here are 5 beginning steps:

1. Understand that a change of perspective is not necessarily a huge shift. If you have ever taken a drawing class this is the first lesson you learn. With a small tilt of the head you’ll be able to see a whole new picture. When we recognize that we don’t have to go through drastic change we are more open to it. So, know that all you need is that subtle tilt.
2. Notice, notice, notice. Developing awareness is the key of being able to change our minds at will. Awareness comes with practice.
3. Change the words you use and you’ll change your mind. At first it will feel awkward; if it doesn’t, guess what? You aren’t changing!
4. Learn to be okay with being uncomfortable. Check your level of comfortableness throughout the day. The more uncomfortable you are, the more you are changing.
5. However, discern between discomfort due to change and that which arises from resistance. The first one makes you feel as if you are not you, while the latter is definitely you, just on angry mode.

There is much more we can do to change our minds, and in future posts I will address this topic in more depth. Until then, ask yourself, am I willing to fully let go of the old? How can I do it? Do I need new lenses? How do I get them? Your intention and questions will start opening up possibilities for you.

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