How to Bundle Change

With the New Year in the not-so-distant future, it is common for people to start thinking about improvements they’d like to make. At home and at work. 

Almost every book I’ve ever read on the topic (and I’ve keenly read quite a few) emphasizes that people should concentrate on one change at a time. Less means more. 

Having multiple projects on the go might seem like a good idea because the feeling of making progress on multiple fronts is alluring.  

However, multiple projects often means that little progress is happening on any front. As soon as a project or goal feels stagnant people often switch to a new project, creating a backlog of unfinished tasks and ideas. 

Digging in, persevering through challenges, and growing pains, is what it takes for project completion. It is also what it takes to successfully change or improve.  

Or is it? 

Samantha Boardman, MD, author of the book Everyday Vitality: Turning Stress into Strength suggests otherwise. 

Boardman argues that following a step-by-step single process to making change underestimates our ability to make multiple changes at the same time.  

In other words, we are limiting ourselves mentally and physically by trying to focus on only one change at a time. Instead, a full-on, comprehensive approach to change may be the ticket. Not just in one area, but many. 

There is one trick though. All the changes you aim to make must be related. 

For example, you want to be healthier. Instead of deciding to lose weight or start exercising more, you go all-in. You choose to sleep more, drink less alcohol, increase your exercise, get out into nature, be more mindful and eat healthier. You can bundle this change.  

If the changes you are making reinforce each other, it can be more effective to make a number of changes at the same time. It is easier to lose weight when you exercise more regularly. And it’s easier to sleep better when you drink less caffeine. 

On the other hand, bundling change when the changes are unrelated is not recommended.  

For example, as a small business owner it is not recommended to hire new staff, make technological upgrades, change the organization’s structure, and launch a new product line at the exact same time. These are simultaneous unrelated changes.

But implementing a new hiring strategy while you are focusing on improving work culture would be an effective way to bundle change. These changes reinforce one another. 

As we approach the new year, it is an ideal time to consider projects or changes you’d like to make.  

Is a single focus on a project or change the best way forward for you?  

Or is it possible to bundle changes to make an even bigger impact?