Business
“Why do I have to deal with change?” The answer is, because change is inevitable. Whether it’s a new client, a new boss, a new piece of software, a discontinuation of your favorite coffee flavor… change is a part of life. Coping with, and adapting to, those changes are crucial for happiness and success in work and in life. Whether you are someone who embraces change or dreads it, the way in which you accept it will increase or decrease your stress levels. Change can trigger powerful emotions. For some, change makes them feel as though they are out of control, that they are being dragged toward a very steep rock face or cliff, toward which they have no control. “Going with the flow” is a mantra some people chant, but for many going with the flow is not easy to do and, in fact, causes them undue stress. Get rid of the “go with the flow” mindset and try these 3 mindset adjustments, I’m about to share with you, to help you better cope with change, as change is constant. 1. Change is a process. When you deal with change, it’s not as easy as flipping a switch and moving from one way of doing something to a completely different way. You need to look at change as a process and you want to take steps to adjust. When you learn to bake a cake, for example, you don’t just open the oven and put in the cake to bake. You need to gather ingredients, measure them, mix them, prepare the pan, preheat the oven, then bake the cake. Baking is a process; change is a process. 2. Be flexible. Some changes are forced upon you, others are a necessary part of life and business. When you accept that some aspects of your life come with change, you can adjust your thinking and prepare for the changes ahead. 3. Change is not always dire, nor does it need to be frightening. Change can be very positive. Change is what you make of it. You can fight against it. You can fear it, or you can look to the future and to the benefits this current change may bring. You can thrive during change; it depends on how you approach it. Let’s now explore seven ways to help you deal with the changes that life and work can throw at you. 1. Face the fact that you’re nervous about the change. Gather all the information you can to help you understand why the change is happening, how the change will impact your business and life, and how you can ease yourself into it. 2. Notice that you’re in the middle of a change in circumstance. When you take time to be aware of the changes ahead, it’s better than denying change is occurring. 3. Do you HAVE to adapt the change? Not all changes necessarily need to be implemented by you. Look for those potential changes that don’t have to impact you and don’t have to be adopted by you. Take time to look at the long-term and see how this short-term acceptance or rejection of a change will impact you and your firm. 4. Positive thinking will color your attitude about change. If you’re facing a change with a negative attitude, the change will be more difficult and fraught with challenges. Look at the change positively. Try to find the silver lining. 5. Anticipate the change. If you tell yourself, “I welcome changes” or “this change might make XYZ even easier to do!” Even if a change will require you to learn and adapt your work habits or lifestyle, that doesn’t mean it’s bad, right? Right! 6. Try to relax. If you know yourself and know that you are uptight when it comes to any switch in a routine or any type of change, you will automatically want to reject the change you’re facing. Try to relax. Take deep breaths and know that not all change is bad – in fact, many changes are great! 7. Set goals toward the acceptance of change. When you take control of the inevitable change you can set goals for its implementation into your business and life. Write down what the change means in your processes, write down goals to incorporate those changes into your process and take baby steps toward implementation. Find someone in whom you can