I hesitate to talk about WW, or Weight Watchers, as I still refer to it, although the company changed its name to WW a few years ago. I hesitate to talk about Weight Watchers in this blog because of the Thanksgiving holiday that most of us will celebrate this week. There will be food galore, and although we do not have to eat it all, many of us will eat more than we normally do. That is why I weighed in for my mandatory monthly weight-in on Sunday, so I have time to reconcile the pound or two I may gain before it is time for me to weigh in again.

So why I am talking about Weight Watchers in this blog? Simply because the company is a great example of change. WW has changed again, and they do so at least once a year. Since I recognize some of my readers are not WW people, I will focus on why WW changes, and not other aspects of WW, of which I am passionate. I really am passionate about WW. I have been a WW member (off and on for some years) for more than forty years, and truly believe it is the only plan that works for me. But enough about that. Let’s talk about change.

WW changed its eating plan again, which they do about once a year. The new plan is simpler, but I was fine with the plan that was replaced, and wondered why they changed the plan again, and asked the WW leader in our meeting on Sunday about that. Her answer was, “WW follows the science, and they decided the plan was not working as it was intended, so they made some changes.”  I accepted that as valid, and my mind immediately went to other things.

How often do we change something that isn’t working? Are we more likely to hang on to what isn’t working, hoping it will work eventually? Maybe not you, but I do. I have several examples of that in mind right now. I am stubborn, and when I lock into something, it is hard for me to change. I need to be more like WW and change what isn’t working.

You might rightly ask, “How do I know something isn’t working, and how long do I give it?” Well, there is no magical answer to this. But let’s be honest. We know, and we even know when the time is up and it is time to make a different decision. We just fail to shift, for a variety of reasons. Or maybe you don’t fall in this category. Maybe you are better at this than I am. You know which group you are in. What matters is that you are honest with yourself.

You are likely familiar with the Serenity Prayer. The part of that prayer that fits in this discussion is the “God Grant Me the Courage to Change the Things I can.” Yes, change does require courage. It is easier (or at least we think it is) to keep on keeping on, even when something isn’t working. We do get set in our ways.

I am reminded of something a colleague of mine, Marilyn Moats Kennedy, said years ago: “The Only One Who Really Likes Change is a Wet Baby!” Funny, but not totally true. Some of us think we are change-oriented, and that we like change. Well, what we really mean is that we like change that we think we can control. And so much of change is outside of our control.

But one change that is totally within our control is our behavior. So, what will we do, what changes will we make, to be the best version of ourselves?

What I am going to do is be less resistant to change, paying attention to what isn’t working, and making course corrections quicker than is often comfortable.

What about you? You do not need to answer me, but by all means, answer this question for yourself.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday. In spite of all of our challenges, there is still much to be thankful for.

I am thankful for you, my dear readers. I appreciate you following my blog and occasionally letting me know your thoughts about it. I am very thankful for you.