The most misunderstood element of change

2020 is an intense year. A year that requires adaptation and flexibility from all of us.

It’s a year of change.

The only way to create a solid foundation for anything you build—whether it’s a business, a program, a relationship, a lifestyle or a mindset shift—is to integrate the changes you’ve made FIRST.

Integration is one of the most misunderstood and undervalued parts of change.

I know integration might feel like a waste of time. We want to get things done (because doing things makes us feel productive, but that’s food for another article 😉) and taking time to integrate means taking time to slow down.

It’s a phase where not much seems to happen. But it’s absolutely essential to fully integrate the changes we are going through.

Without integration you slow yourself down. You try to force yourself to be productive while your body and mind need something else.

When I don’t feel like working, but want to read a book, take a bath or a walk outside, or when I just sit and stare: I know it’s a sign I need time to integrate.

But it took me a while to get there, because I like to get things done, too. I felt guilty for not wanting to work—instead of seeing it as a sign to focus on something else.

So if you realize you are not getting much done, or don’t feel like working at all: pause for a moment. Ask yourself whether you perhaps need time to integrate something. You don’t even need to know exactly what that is. But trust you’ll know whether a shift in focus is needed if you take the time to ask.

Integration will save you time, energy and headaches.

When I force myself to continue because I have a deadline or a long To Do list it’s never very effective, and everything takes much longer than needed.

After I take time for integration I am so much more creative and productive. It’s as if my system now has the energy and focus again to move forward. It’s no longer hitting the brakes in an effort to get my attention.

It’s like rebooting your computer or your annual car check-up. When you skip that too often you’re bound to run into some problems.

Need support navigating your life? Iris van Ooyen is your guide to hope when life feels uncertain. In the moments when you feel lost and don’t know where to turn, Iris offers clarity, support, and a path forward. She’s the author of Radiant: How to Have All the Energy You Need to Live a Life You Love. Contact Iris to help you navigate life’s pivotal crossroads with confidence and purpose.

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