It’s 1955 and you’re living in Sweden. The government has decided to ask the public whether they should switch from driving on the left-hand side of the road to the right.

As most people love their routines, the idea of such a monumental shift wasn’t well received. A whopping 83% of Swedes voted to keep things as they were.

Fast forward to 1967, and despite the public outcry, the Swedish government decided to go ahead with the change. They believed it was for the greater good, aligning with their neighbours and ultimately making travel and trade easier.

So, on September 3rd, 1967, the entire country switched sides – an event famously known as Dagen H (H Day).

The build-up to Dagen H was nothing short of chaotic. Every road sign had to be changed, junctions reconfigured and drivers re-educated.

It was a logistical nightmare, but they persisted.

Guess what happened next?

The transition, while initially bumpy, turned out to be a brilliant idea.

The number of road accidents plummeted.

Drivers, now hyper-aware and cautious due to the new rules, navigated the roads with increased attention and care.

What seemed like a crazy, disruptive decision led to safer roads and smoother travel in the long run.

This story isn’t just a fascinating piece of trivia: It’s a lesson.

 

Change, even when resisted and feared, can lead to remarkable improvements. It reminds us that sometimes, you need to trust the process and embrace the discomfort.

What changes are you resisting in your life? Maybe it’s going for a new job, a shift in strategy, a new home or adopting a new habit. That’s habit, not rabbit.

I’m challenging you to embrace change and start with one thing; even if it’s met with resistance.

Create your own ‘Dagen H’.

Remember, what feels daunting today could just be the catalyst for brilliance tomorrow.

I’d love to know your thoughts on this message and your own experiences of change. Please comment below.

Be Brilliant!

Michael

comments

  1. July 18th 2024 by Rob Pickering

    What a brilliant, thought-provoking post! Obviously your posts are always brilliant, but this one stands out.
    Now I just need to work out what my Dagen H is…

  2. July 18th 2024 by John Peters

    My Dagan H happens at the end of September. After 38 years, working for the same company, doing (almost) the same job, I am retiring. It should be daunting. It should be difficult. It’s not. It will be for my company but thats not my problem 🙂
    The key is knowledge. Knowing what I will be doing, knowing how I will spend my days. The book I am writing, the hobbies I have and will be progressing. Work? What work? Change happens.

    Regards,
    John

  3. July 18th 2024 by Melanie

    I’m getting used to the change of becoming an orphan after my mum died. I have no children- so the line ends with me. So I’m adjusting to my view of my worth to the world-

  4. July 18th 2024 by Koulla

    Bang on, just the kick up the ars£ I needed. This is so timely for me, as only yesterday I was thinking there has got to be more to life than this boring one, maybe I need a project or soemthign new, a change,…but what?? So this timely email from you has inspired me to give this a lot of thought to come up with my Dagan H! Cheers Michael!
    Regards
    Koulla 🙂

  5. July 18th 2024 by Judith (Judy) Brulo

    IIt’s daunting to move out of your comfort zone. Many years ago I read that to encourage eaglets to leave the nest and begin their maiden flight, the parent eagle gradually removes all the soft downy padding leaving the spiky, uncomfortable twigs. Nature is brilliant.
    X

  6. July 18th 2024 by Ian

    Why not mention Robert Frost’s Poem by the same name?

    1. July 19th 2024 by Michael Heppell

      I was hoping you would 😉

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