Source: Attributed to Kurt Lewin (scholars debate how much of the three-step model Lewin himself formalised)
Change happens in three stages: unfreeze current habits, make the change, then refreeze new behaviours so they stick. It emphasises that old patterns must be loosened before new ones can form.
When to use it
Use it when you need to change your own working habits after a role or process change.
How to apply it
Write down the old habit or way of working that no longer fits.
List the reasons it needs to change and the cost of staying the same.
Define the new behaviour precisely.
Practise the new behaviour daily with a visible reminder or checklist.
Review after a month and remove triggers that pull you back to the old way.
Tip: Do not skip refreezing; new habits fade quickly without reinforcement.