Many people abhor change. It can be messy and uncomfortable. There are lots of good books out there to help people deal with change, such as Spencer Johnson’s “Who Moved My Cheese” where he highlights the fact that we are living in a continually changing world, and your best bet is to learn how to deal with the change. A wise ex-boss of mine summarized the book into a single chart i still have on my wall:
Who Moved My Cheese?
All good stuff, and the book is a great read. William Bridges has some god stuff on change management as well (“Transitions”).And of course there is the whole “Shift Happens” video series if you don’t think things are going to continue changing. 
But this wasn’t really the intent of my post. It’s more about whether you (yes you) need change in your life as part of your own personal development.
Usually I find there are telltale signs that I need a change. I don’t always recognize them right away, and they kind of build a little bit at a time. Here’s my list of things I have noticed when it is time for change for me:
- I complain about certain monotonous tasks that didn’t used to bother me as much, but they now bore me to death.
- I don’t look forward to work. And I count the days until the weekend.
- Focus is lacking. I mean, I already have the attention span of a chicken, but it actually gets worse. (Is that a fire truck?)
- I procrastinate on things that I find boring (see 1)
- I am grumpier than usual. I tend to be cheery and upbeat but when others start noticing I am not generally like that, it is a sign.
- An overwhelming sense of dreams unfulfilled, and that there is a yearning that is not being met. When I am happy and stimulated, I don’t have these thoughts.
- Actively looking for something to fill that yearning, but not sure what it is.
- I become somewhat envious (in a quiet, Canadian kind of way) of those that are “doing their own art”.
How do you spot that you need a change?
Great thoughts, Shawn. I think a lot of people can relate to your list. I know I can.
How do I make the change?
I’m as hot and cold as anybody – sometimes I’m all jazzed up, and sometimes I’m feeling like your list – but I think the thing that gets me going is to pick something to ‘ship’. It doesn’t have to be big, just some kind of task or creative thing that’s a little risky, but would be fun.
Then I use that thing to help me get my other stuff done, so I say, “Okay, as soon as I’m finished with my chores (other not so exciting work) then I can work on that.”
Well, I don’t know if that always works. I usually end up working on that exciting thing and procrastinating the other stuff. But it was a good idea.
I also liked ‘the cheese’ book many years ago. A newer book by the same author, Peaks and Valleys, is also very good.
Loved the “Well, I don’t know if that always works. I usually end up working on that exciting thing and procrastinating the other stuff.” I have the same problem – maybe it is a trait of engineers.