MY QUANTUM MOMENT AND VALUE SHIFT

When you discover that a Midlife Crisis is actually a Quantum Moment


A QUANTUM CHANGE

I've been discovering a whole new concept called Quantum Change and how it affects our values and wanted to share it on the blog today. It started with a reference to value shifts in this TED talk on Happinessand from there I was on a bit of a mission to figure out what Quantum Change actually was and how it affects people because it sounded very similar to the process I went through a few years ago.

A QUANTUM MOMENT

Sure enough, as I read more, it turned out that the definition of Quantum Change is all about having a Quantum Moment. And a Quantum Moment has four aspects to it (according to the book: Quantum Changes: When Epiphanies and Sudden Insights Transform Ordinary lives by Miller and C’de Baca).

THESE FOUR ASPECTS ARE:

1. It is vivid and intense - when you experience it, it stays with you forever.
2. It is surprising, unexpected, uninvited and unforeseen.
3. It is benevolent: peaceful and blissful, serene. (I'm not so sure about this one!)
4. It is enduring: the moment never goes away.


EPIPHANIES AND LEMONY SNICKET

I've mentioned before about my Midlife Epiphany, or my Series of Unfortunate Events, and when I read about Quantum Moments and Quantum Change, I realized that this is what I went through a few years ago. It felt like a series of mini (and not-so-mini) crises that came in a cluster that pulled the rug out from under me. All my previous assumptions were thrown into the air and when they came back down and resettled, I was a different person.

I thought it was a Midlife Crisis kind of deal, but I can now see that it was all about having a Quantum Change take place in my life - it needed it to happen so I could realign my life with my values. If you're not living a life consistent with your foundational values then you're never going to be happy. I was quietly miserable until the impact it had on my life turned me around and brought about a new way of thinking.

If you're not living a life consistent with your foundational values then you're never going to be happy.

A SHIFT IN VALUES

Quantum Change for a woman brings about a big shift in values:

The top five values prior to a Quantum Moment are
  1. Family
  2. Sense of independence
  3. Career
  4. Fitting in
  5. Being attractive.

    These shift to:
    1. Personal growth
    2. Self esteem
    3. Sense of spirituality
    4. Happiness
    5. Generosity.

    Chart taken from this TED talk

    MY QUANTUM MOMENT

    I could tick every one of the ten changes listed in the chart - my Quantum Moment brought me to the realization that I was allowed to focus some of my energy on myself and making myself happy again. I needed to find my sense of selfworth and develop it, and from there I could move forward and share some of my journey with others. That's where this blog originally sprang from and the growth continues from there.

    It has been a really interesting discovery for me to find that what I went through has a name and scientific research behind it. It was also really affirming to see that the changes I've made in my life tie in so closely with what women go through when their life hits that Quantum Moment.

    WHAT ABOUT YOU?

    Have you had a Quantum Moment and a Quantum Change in your life? Did it impact you in the ways the chart outlines or was it different?
    When you discover that a Midlife Crisis is actually a Quantum Moment



    To keep up to date with my posts, feel free to add your email into the spot especially for it on my sidebar and I'd love you to share this post by clicking on a share button before you go xx
    This post was shared at some of these great link parties

    16 comments

    1. I have not heard of this but now will check out the Ted Talk. Always interested in finding out about something new which helps me understand me and life's shifts. Thank you for linking up for #lifethisweek 21/52 and next week's prompt is Hobbies.

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. Hi Denyse - you're actually one of my role models for coping with the changes life brings and re-aligning yourself with where life has brought you. I hope you enjoy the TED Talk.

        Delete
    2. HI Leanne, I don't know if this has to be a moment or if it can be an experience. For me, I would say my year of intense cancer treatment was a quantum period (if there's such a thing!) I certainly went through all the changes you list as a result of that period. Today, I'm reminded It's a Wonderful World!

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. I think it can be a series of events or a life changing long event Shirley (I doubt something life changing would happen too often in a moment of time- although I'm sure it does for some people). For me it was a few things adding together that turned things on their head and changed my values around - and yes it's definitely a wonderful world!

        Delete
    3. I think I'm going through my Quantum change right now as job loss and moving back with my mother are at the forefront of my life right now.

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. Sounds like a definite change in your life direction Jennifer - it'll be interesting to see where it leads you and if you look back and find it was a defining moment in your life. I hope it brings positive things your way x

        Delete
    4. I've never heard of this either. I'm going through an unbelievable rough patch but I am now going to choose to believe it is leading to my own quantum moment and quantum shift

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. Rough patches tend to do that Carla - especially for people like you who look to see the lessons and to move forward. When you have time to look back on it I'm sure your Lemony Snicket Moment will bring some fresh new changes into your life - it did for me :)

        Delete
    5. Mine doesn't see to go along with the chart but I loved the phrase, " If you're not living a life consistent with your foundational values then you're never going to be happy." I pinned it on Pinterest, thanks!

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. I'm glad you liked the phrase Valerie - you might find that it takes a bit of time, or a bigger upheaval before your values realign (or maybe your values are already sorted and they can weather a few upheavals)

        Delete
    6. I am glad your Quantum Change lead you to write this blog! After my year of cancer treatments I took a close look at my life and made a lot of changes including starting my own company where I am in a small way helping women and giving back with a charitable component attached to the values of the my company. It was and is a quantum change from where I was before cancer.

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. I love that bad things can bring about positive end results Haralee. It's so easy to lie down and sulk, but to rise strong and to make changes and invest in yourself and others gives those bad times some real meaning. I love that yours was a Quantum Moment and not a sit and feel sorry for yourself moment!

        Delete
    7. I think I am going through this..I think something "big" happens to you and gets it started...I have had several things happen and feel this change coming on...

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. I completely agree Renee - you can usually ride out a few hiccups, but when they are added on to a bigger upheaval then I think change occurs and hopefully you come out the other side a better person - or at least with a better understanding of your true self. You're certainly in the middle of it all atm xx

        Delete
    8. Great post Leanne. Thanks for sharing this. :)

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. Thanks Diana - I hope you found it as interesting as I did - there's always something new to learn isn't there?

        Delete

    Thanks so much for your comment - it's where the connection begins.