Tie up your change

How do you make an instant and significant change in your habits without risking to fall back into old patterns? The answer is: By creating a symbol for the change, shape a strong connection between the symbol and the change, and expose yourself to the symbol constantly.

Last weekend, I attended the District 59 Spring Conference for Toastmasters International in Poznan, Poland. It was a great conference, with a keynote provided by Mark Hunter, 2009 World Champion of Public Speaking. This was also the European Finals of the World Championship with 11 finalists, each of them already winners in their clubs, areas, and divisions.

I learnt many lessons over this weekend, but how would I make the change, implementing these learnings in my everyday life? The answer is: With my new tie.

I bought an orange tie after the conference, while still in Poznan in order to discover the city itself. I decided that this tie would symbolize what I had learnt during the conference, and I immediately put it on. I have worn it constantly for almost 4 days, and I'm wearing it now. It helps me stay focused on the key concepts I learned at the conference: Be willing to explore (Mark Hunter), Do your best (Jorge Crespo), and Love what you do (John Zimmer). These phrases may not be exactly how they phrased them, but this is how I rephrase them and bind them together in a context relevant to my life.

These three concepts constitutes a core, on which the other learnings attach to. The key is that everything is symbolized by the tie, which works as a catalyst to implement the changes merely by being present and making me consciously as well as subconsciously aware of what I learned at the conference.

I'm not sure a new tie is the perfect recipie for everyone attending a great conference, but it seems to work for me: I explore the effects of it, I do my best, and I love to do it. When will you find a symbol for your next change? What will it look like? Which key concepts will it express?