“INTENTIONAL CHANGE THEORY”

Paper by: Richard Boyatizs

Research Work Done by: Anushka Jindal - P22138

The ideal self has many definitions for many people. For a student, it may mean having a
hundred percent attendance and scoring good marks; for an author, it may mean completing
all their unfinished works, launching their books, and being widely known; for a professional
worker, it may mean having a solid work ethic, being able to multitask.

Everyone is unique; we come from different backgrounds and have different aims in life,
which is why defining an ideal self is very difficult. It is a mixture of many things, and
practically, humans cannot attain it as it is only a combination of our desires at that particular
moment in time. I know that because the person I am talking about in the beginning is me.

Richard's paper on intentional change went in depth about why and how these changes
happen in life. He skillfully split the process into five stages, where each is a different
"breakthrough" of self.

These stages kickstart when a person first asks where they see themselves in the future.
This requires a deeper awareness and desire about what you want to be and if that future is
aligned with your values—envisioning yourself as an ideal self makes you think and compare
your current position. You start to think about what all you can do to achieve the main goal
- striving towards perfection and ideal self but that is only possible with feedback, as honest
as possible. This stage is challenging because the first feedback always comes from oneself,
requiring focused introspection. The person cannot be too casual or sugary in his feedback, as
that will destroy the entire purpose of the reflection.

Once the feedback is received, and the person is ready to change intentionally, the third step
is to plan to bridge the gaps. For this, the person needs motivation, hope, enthusiasm, and a
sense of purpose and ambition. While understanding the gap and keeping track of it is also
vital, experimenting with the same is also something that can be done. As everyone is
unique, it is possible that what worked for one may not work for another. Everyone needs to
carve their path and go about it in the most suitable way. Nevertheless, they need not go
through it alone. The right support in the form of arbitrators, pacifiers, or sources of
feedback brings out the best in a person.

Max Depree's famous quote, "We cannot become what we want by remaining what we are,"
comes to mind after researching ICT. I believe in the power each person holds and much of a
positive impact they can make on people around them. To reach this untapped potential, these
simple steps are certainly a way to enlighten a novice from an individual level to a cosmic.
As individuals, as people in a community, and as humans, we need to strive to be better than
we are.

At last, I would conclude that yesterday, I was astute, so I wanted to change the world, but
today, I am wise and am changing myself.