The Groove 195 - How to Slowly Make a Meaningful Change
HOW TO SLOWLY MAKE A MEANINGFUL CHANGE
We are relentlessly inundated with promises of quick changes to improve our lives. “Lose 10 lbs in two weeks.” “Become a millionaire in 30 days.” “Turn your life around in seconds.” The stark reality is that these shortcuts don’t work. I don't know about you, but I would be more interested in making gradual, lasting changes that offer a sustainable path to the future. Quick fixes might sell, but true transformation demands patience, persistence, and a willingness to invest in steady, meaningful progress.
Recognizing the necessity to make a change in your career is a pivotal moment that can transform not only your professional trajectory but your entire life. It often emerges from a deep sense of dissatisfaction, unfulfilled potential, or a compelling vision of something greater. This realization can be daunting and fraught with uncertainty and risk, yet it is also a powerful catalyst for growth and reinvention.
Piet Mondrian, born in Amersfoort, Netherlands in 1872, emerged as one of the preeminent artists of the 20th century, leaving an indelible mark across not only art but also architecture, fashion, and design. However, this recognition came only after decades spent exploring different avenues that were paving the way: 25 years dedicated to painting figures and landscapes and developing his philosophy through writing.
Mondrian's journey shows us that not everyone begins with revolutionary ideas from the outset. What truly matters is possessing the self-awareness to understand your strengths and passions, coupled with the willingness to change and the persistence to cultivate and excel in what you love and are good at.
Trust What’s Speaking from Within
Piet Mondrian in 1942 photographed by Albert Newman in New York.
Trusting our intuition is akin to tapping into our inner wisdom: a subconscious reservoir of insights and judgments honed by our experiences, values, and emotions. It often manifests as a gut feeling or a subtle sense of knowing, guiding us towards decisions that align with our authentic selves.
From 1908 until the end of his life in 1944, Mondrian was a devout student of theosophy, an esoteric belief system that maintains that God can be known through spiritual ecstasy and intuition. This was a turning point for Mondrian, who experimented with ways to connect nature with the immaterial plane in his work. His paintings turned less representational and the objects more elusive.
When Mondrian moved to Paris in 1912, he became interested in Cubism and intermingled their ideas with his own theosophical beliefs. Here his first purely abstract paintings came to life. But it wasn't until the outbreak of World War I that the Mondrian paintings he became famous for began to take shape. He was vacationing in the Netherlands and couldn't return to Paris.
Piet Mondrian, Windmill in Twilight, c. 1907-1908, oil on canvas.
Forced to stay in his home country for the duration of the war, he found two other artists who were interested in new theories about art: Theo van Doesburg and Bart van der Leck. With them, Mondrian wrote and published a journal they called De Stijl (The Style) in 1917. This shift was decisive. It pushed Mondrian in the direction he stayed in for the rest of his life, painting harmonious geometric compositions of vertical and horizontal lines, forming grids, and filling planes with an increasingly narrow color palette.
Mondrian was guided from within and often said that “intellect confuses intuition”.
We sometimes dismiss or ignore what’s coming from inside of us. This dismissal can stem from societal pressures, favoring logic and rationale over feelings, fear of uncertainty or failure, or simply the noise of external opinions drowning out our inner voice. Accepting our intuition involves cultivating mindfulness, listening attentively to our instincts, and valuing the unique perspectives they offer.
Remove the Superfluous
Piet Mondrian, Devotion, 1908, oil on canvas.
The nineteenth-century German virtuoso pianist and composer, Johannes Brahms, told us that “It is not hard to compose, but what is fabulously hard is to leave the superfluous notes under the table.” Removing the superfluous is about creating space -both physical and mental- for change to take root and thrive. It sets the stage for a deliberate, purposeful approach to transformation, ensuring that your efforts are directed towards achieving meaningful and sustainable results.
Mondrian's abstract paintings are a masterclass in the power of simplicity. By stripping away the unnecessary and focusing on basic geometric forms, he demonstrated that profound impact often lies in the most straightforward elements. He refined his style and got deeper into his lines and grids by using exclusively three primary colors (red, blue, and yellow), three primary values (black, white, and gray), and two primary directions (horizontal and vertical).
If you have been longing for a change, imagine your daily tasks as a Mondrian canvas. Identify the primary colors as your core responsibilities and the black lines as your structural tasks. Eliminate the superfluous and concentrate on what truly matters. This approach not only streamlines your workflow but also enhances clarity, productivity and effectiveness.
Be Persistent and Adaptable
Piet Mondrian, Composition with Red, Blue and Yellow, 1930, oil on canvas.
Perseverance and adaptability are twin engines that help drive you toward meaningful change. Perseverance involves unwavering determination and resilience in the face of challenges and setbacks. It requires staying committed to the long-term vision despite temporary obstacles or failures. At the same time, adaptability complements perseverance by recognizing when adjustments are necessary.
Mondrian's journey was not one of immediate success. He faced criticism and lack of recognition for much of his career. Yet, his unwavering commitment to his vision and his persistent refinement of his style eventually led to his status as a pioneering figure in modern art. The artist was in his 50s when success finally knocked on his door. Having moved back to Paris after WWI ended, he attracted the attention of Léonce Rosenberg, a notable French art dealer and gallery owner with whom he started showing. Other artists, like Marcel Duchamp and Man Ray, brought collectors and curators to his studio, moved by the refinement and uniqueness of his work and the depth of his thoughts.
Embracing slow change as a necessary part of the journey empowers you to evolve and grow, aligning your actions with the demands of your life. Together, perseverance and adaptability create a dynamic framework for achievement. Steadfast dedication is coupled with a readiness to pivot and innovate as needed to reach what you’ve been longing for.
Next time you try to dismiss the idea of change or want the change to happen overnight, remember Mondrian. Allow your inner voice to guide you, strip away the unnecessary, and move forward with tenacity and malleability. Just as Mondrian transformed the art world with his revolutionary vision, you too can create a bold, exciting and sustainable path by applying these timeless principles.