CHANGE OR DIE
Alan Deutschman, in his book Change
or Die, says that there are three keys to
change, which he calls The Three R’s:
Relate, Repeat and Reframe. I found
this model to be helpful when I had to
change—everything.
Relate: You form a new emotional relationship with a person who inspires and
sustains hope. If you face a situation
that a reasonable person would consider “hopeless,” you need the influence of seemingly “unreasonable”
people to restore your hope—to make
you believe that you can change and
expect that you will change. (I can’t
think of a better community to find
unreasonable people in than NSA.)
Repeat: The new relationship helps you
to learn, practice and master new habits
and skills that you’ll need. Deutschman
says, “It is tremendously helpful to have
a good teacher, coach or mentor to give
guidance and encouragement, and direction along the way.” (Hmmm, I suppose
I’m repeating myself, but NSA seems like
a good place to find a mentor.)
Reframe: The new relationship helps
you learn new ways of thinking about
your situation and your life—new hope,
new skills and new thinking.
This is the very thing we provide
when we speak to audiences. And when
we find ourselves in new challenging
situations, it’s then that we truly practice what we preach.
Molly Cox is a writer, speaker and
improvisation actor. She is the co-author of Improvise This! How to
Think on Your Feet so You Don’t
Fall on Your Face. She is currently producing the sketch comedy and improv
show, The Not-so Secret: Secret. Molly
is the founder of StrongCoffeeink and
the line, CareerChik—savvy and sassy
cards and gifts for
women. Visit
www.mollyspeaks
.com and www.
careerchik.com.
The National Speakers Association
congratulates Edward E. Scannell, CSP, CMP,
on his induction into the Convention Industry
Council’s Hall of Leaders.
1991–92 NSA President
1988–89 MPI Chairman
Ed, thank you for your continued
support of the Convention Industry.
