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Have you ever intended to make a change only to find yourself right back where you started shortly thereafter?
Perhaps you had low back pain and your posture was off and you wanted to change your structure, so you visited a chiropractor? Perhaps you wanted to change a behavior such as quitting smoking or exercising and eating healthier, so you joined a gym? Perhaps you were feeling anxious or depressed and you wanted to change your perception, so you consulted a therapist?
Often when making changes such as these, we find ourselves frustrated that it is so difficult to make the change. Have you ever experienced this? I know I have. Why is this? The answer can be found in a model called The Triad of Change, brilliantly created by the developer of NetworkSpinal Chiropractic, Dr. Donald Epstein.
The Triad of Change illustrates that in order for there to be a change, three things must be congruent: Structure, Behavior and Perception.
The Triad of Change — Dr. Donald Epstein © 2009
For every Structure, there is a corresponding Behavior and Perception.
For every Behavior, there is a corresponding Structure and Perception.
For every Perception, there is a corresponding Structure and Behavior.
In order to make change in one of these “sides of the triad,” the other two sides must be in congruence.
Let’s use three real-life examples to illustrate:
Changing Structure (your body/posture): Let’s say you have low back pain and your posture is off, so you visit a chiropractor to get help in changing your structure. In order for there to be a change in the structure, there will need to be a congruent change in your behavior and perception. The change in behavior may be more effective bending strategies and doing some stretching. The change in perception may be, rather than looking at the pain as something wrong, looking at it as an alert signal from your body to do things differently.
Changing Behavior (exercise and diet): Let’s say you want to change a behavior such as exercising and eating healthier. In order for there to be a change in the behavior, there needs to be a congruent change in your structure and perception. The change in structure may be to find a coach who can create and support you in an exercise and dietary routine. The change in perception may be from “I hate exercising!” to “Although it’s uncomfortable, I’m getting stronger and more flexible … and I love that!”
Changing Perception (anxiety/depression): Let’s say you are feeling anxious and depressed and want to change your perception. In order for there to be a change in the perception, there needs to be a congruent change in your structure and behavior. Have you noticed that when feeling down, your posture tends to be hunched over, head and neck forward and down? The change in structure may be to change your posture — hold your head up and bring your shoulders back — perhaps working with a NetworkSpinal Chiropractic practitioner to help you with that change. The change in behavior may be to take deep breaths and get yourself active in something you enjoy such as painting or exercise.
So you can see from these examples that in order to make an effective change in any of the sides of the triad, there must be a corresponding congruent change in the other two sides.
Although counter-intuitive, the greatest hindrance to making effective change is that we focus on the area that needs to change. If we want to change a behavior such as a habit, we tend to focus on the habit and try to change our behavior. If we want to change how we feel (our perception), we tend to dwell on how we feel. If we want to change our structure, such as our finances, we tend to focus on the finances.
This is our greatest source of struggle. Generally, the side of the triad that we want to change is our weakest link — and trying to make a change utilizing our weakest side is a sure formula for further struggle.
The most effective way to create change in one of the sides of the triad is to focus on and start making change in the other two sides — and the third side you are trying to change will fall into step with them. Usually one of these two sides is your area of strength, and that is the side to focus on first.
The amazing thing is that when all three sides reach a new level of congruence, you tap into a new and previously untapped source of Energy that supports that “new triad.”
Have you ever felt down or stressed out (Perception), so you went for a walk (Behavior) in a park (Structure) — and not only did you start to feel better (Perception) but you had a creative idea that moved you forward? This is the Triad of Change at work! By focusing on the other two sides of the triad, the side you wanted to change also changed, and the new congruence of all three sides allowed you to tap into creative resources that were unavailable before.
Have you ever needed to move to a new apartment or house (Structure)? If you just focused on the new residence you wouldn’t move anywhere. By shifting your focus to the ideals you would like to experience in the new home and how it would feel (Perception), and taking action to look at listings, visit homes and make a choice (Behavior), before you know it you are in your new house (Structure). You can apply this same example to finding a new job, relationship, and more.
Have you ever wanted to start exercising or go on a diet (Behavior)? Generally, when you failed, you were probably focused on losing weight and attempting it on your own. But those times you were successful, you focused on how you wanted to feel as your new self (Perception) and joined a gym, exercise class or followed a structured dietary program (Structure).
At A Place for Healing, we support people in their health and wellness goals by implementing the Triad of Change. NetworkSpinal uses gentle touches on the spine to help develop new internal emerging strategies of breath and movement (Behavior) to optimize the posture (Structure) of the spine and nervous system and be more effective at adapting to stress (Behavior) — helping people to feel better and have a more satisfying and fulfilling experience of life (Perception). By changing Structure and Behavior, we change Perception.
So next time you need to make a change, determine which side of the triad that change resides in — let it go — and focus on the other two sides!
Ready to create lasting change in your health and your life?
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