New year, new me. And even though that sounds positive, clinical psychologist Beth Kurland notes that 80% of people who make New Year’s resolutions feel like they’ve failed within the first few months. According to her, the big obstacle that people don’t account for in behaviour change: their autonomic nervous system (ANS).

“Below the surface of awareness, through a process called neuroception, our brain and nervous system are constantly scanning for cues of threat/danger or for cues of safety. When there are more cues of threat, our ANS goes into protection mode.”  

And while this reaction would be useful in the face of real threats, this protection mode (leading to stress and/or shutting down) is counterproductive when you try to adapt to change in a relatively safe context. For example undergoing changes at work or setting new year’s resolutions.

So how can you prime your nervous system for change? Or help team members/employees adapt easier to changes? Read the full article on our blog.