Change or Die
How Suffering Can Become the Gateway to Salvation and Sanity
In today's society, excessive change and exposure to negative news can cause stress and overwhelm. The widespread use of smartphones has led to shorter attention spans and a negative impact on human intelligence. However, the book "Change or Die: The Three Keys to Change at Work and in Life" by Alan Deutschman offers insights on how to overcome psychological barriers to change. (Not an affiliate link.)
One standout case study in the book is the story of the Delancey Street Foundation, a rehabilitation program for ex-convicts. This article will explore decisive steps for change, especially during challenging life events, leading to personal growth and betterment.
Delancey Street
Change is vital for growth and evolution but can be challenging. "Change or Die" by Alan Deutschman explores psychological barriers to change and how to overcome them. The Delancey Street Foundation helps ex-convicts turn their lives around through personal responsibility, accountability, and community support. Thousands have become successful through the program, proving change is possible.
The program has been in operation since 1971 and has a documented success rate of around 90% for its graduates. According to the foundation's website, over 20,000 people have graduated from the program since its inception, and many of them have gone on to become successful entrepreneurs, artists, and community leaders. The program's unique approach to rehabilitation emphasizes personal responsibility, accountability, and community support, and it requires participants to live and work together in a self-sustaining community.
The Delancey Street Foundation has been recognized as one of the most successful rehabilitation programs in the country, and its graduates are living proof that change is possible, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The foundation's impressive success rate is a testament to the power of change and the human spirit.
Here are the key lessons learned when I read the book:
Lesson 1: Change is Hard
"All great changes are preceded by chaos." - Deepak Chopra
"Change or Die" emphasizes that change is challenging as people often resist it due to fear and uncertainty. The Delancey Street Foundation program participants exemplify this, needing to face their past, take accountability, and commit to a new lifestyle to succeed.
Lesson 2: A Crisis Can Be a Catalyst for Change
"You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them." - Maya Angelou
Another important lesson from "Change or Die" is that crises can catalyze change. Embracing stress, trauma, and suffering as a gateway to better things is a matter of making up our minds to be grateful for everything, especially the lessons we learn from missing the mark.
People are often more open to change when faced with a crisis, such as a health scare or a financial setback. This is certainly true for the ex-convicts in the Delancey Street Foundation program. They have experienced the consequences of their past behavior and are motivated to change their lives.
Lesson 3: Support is Crucial
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." - Mahatma Gandhi
Support is crucial for successful change, as those who receive it are more likely to succeed. Isolating ourselves during tough times can be detrimental, and seeking support from those who have what we want can help us improve ourselves one day at a time. The Delancey Street Foundation provides a supportive community for its participants, who rely on each other for encouragement, motivation, and accountability.
Lesson 4: Change can be Incremental
"Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection." - Mark Twain
Patience is a virtue for a reason. Seeking instant gratification can make us feel crazy and cause us to miss the mark. Instead, small, incremental changes over time are often more sustainable and lead to success. This is evident in the success of the Delancey Street Foundation program participants, who make small changes in their daily lives that eventually lead to more significant changes, such as starting their businesses.
Lesson 5: Focus on the Positive
"The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes." - William James
Focusing on the positive benefits of change is essential for motivation. The Delancey Street Foundation program participants focus on positive aspects such as sobriety and building successful businesses, emerging from dark places to find the light through unconditional community support and accountability.
Lesson 6: Change Your Story
"The mind is everything. What you think, you become." - Buddha
People's beliefs about themselves and their situations can be powerful barriers to change. Changing your story about yourself and your situation can help you overcome these barriers. This is certainly true for the ex-convicts in the Delancey Street Foundation program. They must change their story about themselves as criminals and reframe their identity as productive members of society.
Lesson 7: Find a Role Model
"A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself." - Oprah Winfrey
The concept of apprenticeship, based on passing down knowledge and skills from generation to generation, has been used for centuries as a powerful tool for personal and professional development. Both apprenticing and working with a role model share similarities in their focus on learning from someone with more experience, personal relationships and observation, and transformative impact on personal growth. Ultimately, success depends on a willingness to learn and commit to change, seeking opportunities to learn from experienced individuals. The Delancey Street Foundation program offers mentors who serve as role models for participants, inspiring and motivating them toward successful transformation.
Lesson 8: Get Feedback
"Feedback is the breakfast of champions." - Ken Blanchard
Feedback helps with accountability and identifying areas for improvement. The Delancey Street Foundation program participants receive valuable feedback from peers and mentors, staying focused on their goals. Being willing to receive feedback promotes personal growth, building good character traits like humility and resilience. Embracing feedback helps us identify areas for improvement, stay goal-focused, and adapt to new situations, leading to a fulfilling and meaningful life.
Lesson 9: Embrace the Process
"The journey is what brings us happiness, not the destination." - Dan Millman
We can’t control outcomes. We can only control how we approach and embrace a process. Change is often a process that involves setbacks and challenges. Embracing and seeing the process as an opportunity for growth can help you stay committed to the change. This is an essential lesson for anyone trying to change their life. The Delancey Street Foundation program participants understand that change is a process and that setbacks are normal.
Lesson 10: Change is Possible
"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." - C.S. Lewis
"Change or Die" teaches that change is possible, despite challenges. The Delancey Street Foundation program participants prove this. Practicing daily with an open mind and acceptance helps us love ourselves and what used to frustrate us. Changing negative self-talk and views leads to a happier world.
Be Willing to Change
In conclusion, "Change or Die" offers valuable insights into the psychological barriers to change and how we can overcome them. The story of the Delancey Street Foundation is a powerful reminder that change is possible, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
The ten lessons we can apply to our lives, from recognizing that change is hard to find role models and embracing the process, offer a roadmap for anyone trying to make a change. By embracing change as a way of living a rich life, we can all work towards a brighter future for ourselves and our communities.