On Wednesday Nov. 8, SUU students had the opportunity to attend a leadership seminar given by Al W. Switzler, a New York Times best selling author.
The seminar was based on a book written by Switzler and his colleagues. The book is called, “Change Anything.”
“People change for multiple reasons, emanate danger, powerful enemy, terrible pain or inspired leadership,” said Switzler. “We say go be the captain of your own ship. Go put your hand on your own rutter. And here are some ways to do it.”
According to Switzler’s seminar there are three principles of change.
First, a person needs to escape the willpower trap, meaning we have far less control over our behavior than we believe. This is faulty thinking and leads us to fall into the willpower trap, as stated in the pamphlet handed out to the audience.
The second principle of change is that a person needs to be both the scientist and the subject of their life. He used the example of people that try to lose weight and give up to illustrate this point. When trying to take on the daunting task of trying to lose weight, we need to make ourselves the scientist and the subject to lead to lasting effects. “You need to take control of the things that are controlling you,” said Switzler.
The last principle Switzler talked about was that we need to see and engage in six sources. Those sources are: love what you hate, do what you can’t, turn accomplices into friends, convert the economy and control your space.
Switzler had six audience members come to the stage. They were each given one of these sources. He had them hold onto a rope. Once Switzler was able to show how these sources could work for him and not against him, they came over to his side. By using these sources you are allowing yourself to not only make a change but it can be successful and lasting.
“Goals aren’t accomplished, people accomplish goals. Anytime you are stuck, frustrated or just not getting what you want most, you are perfectly organized to get what you are getting in the world,” said Switzler. “We need to diagnose why is it there, what do I need to see and what are are the goals I really want. If you want to change something, make a plan and make the change.”
For more information on Switzler’s book visit Change Anything.
Story and Photo by
Cassidy Harmon
reporter2@suunews.com
