"The elephant and the rhino want to fall a tree in the forest. The rhino tries his hand at the tree first. The rhino runs as fast as he can at the tree and rams his horn into it. The tree is still standing and is left with a gaping wound in its trunk, while the rhino is left embarrassed and injured. Then the elephant makes his attempt. Each day he walks up to the tree and leans on it. At first the tree doesn't move. He does this every day, for weeks on end, and eventually the ground softens and the roots of the tree give and the tree topples over. Even though it took time and persistence, the job was done and neither the tree nor the elephant were injured."

- unkown

I have come to learn that the majority of people, especially firemen, don't like change, of any kind. And I get it, I am one of those people. I have the philosophy of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" and "why change a good thing?", but sometimes change is necessary as we grow in life, work and relationships and as our society evolves.

But change is hard both as the one trying to make the change as the one who is receiving the change. What appears to be an easy change for one person may present as immense barriers and challenges to another.

For example, my husband, bless his heart, is trying to fit in more time to work out and maintain his fitness on top of work and caring for us, his family. My idea for him to help with this change was to wake up an hour earlier and get his workout in in the morning, dedicated time to himself while our son was still sleeping. If he waited later in the day, the odds were slim since our son does not have a nap schedule. Well…… my idea was received with a hard "Nope, I'm not a morning person". To me the change was logical and easy, and would only take about a week to get into the swing of things waking up a little earlier. My husband thought it was the worst idea ever.

My husbands barrier to this idea of change was that it was too early in the morning and he would rather sleep the extra hour, which is totally fair.

So how can we promote change without ramming into these barriers. I honestly don't think it is possible. From my experience working with my patients and firemen and trying to encourage lifestyle changes, you have to take the time to address each barrier to the change. Forcing things won't work and only makes the barriers bigger and stronger. Like a wall that grows taller and thicker the more you try to knock it down.

Like the rhino who tries to use brute force and is only left bruised and maybe a little hurt inside at the failure.

Facilitating change seems to need the approach of the elephant. That can look like many things. Little reminders here and there, small changes that are accepted that lead to bigger changes, planting small ideas and allowing time to grow. Communicating with others about the change rather than coming in hot and blindsiding everyone. Allowing time for people to process the idea of change and how change can be possible before demanding or enforcing change.

With that, it may help to facilitate positive change without the push back, without the immediate defense with complete disregard to the pros and cons to the new idea. (I feel like this is a huge problem culturally right know, everyone is the Rhino)

Change is hard, especially in this current culture. But change is sometimes necessary.

BE THE ELEPHANT