If you are afraid of change it’s time to, well, change!
“The greatest killer of creativity and innovation is our predisposition to want to keep things the way they are.” – Randy Gage
Well put.
Change comes by choice or circumstance and it can certainly throw us off our game. The best way to manage change is to take ownership of it and steer it in a direction that best serves your needs. Here are six ways to do that:
When you face change that’s as big as a move, a marriage, stepping into the C-Suite or even starting a new job, don’t be so hard on yourself when you already feel unsettled. Instead, experiment with a new practice of staying in control. Begin by stopping what you are doing and slowing your heart rate with a few breaths.
Then approach change thoughtfully, and positively, with the following seven tips:
- Be Still. Don’t let anxiety take over, or fall victim to mental games or gossip. Rather, quiet your mind and know that you will be stronger as a result. Take a moment each day for deep breathing and meditation coupled with positive affirmations that this is just another part of your journey to success.
- Be Strong. You’ve successfully dealt with change in your past—everyone has. Reflect on your wins and how you smartly navigated changes and pull from those wins to help you stay strong during uncertain times.
- Be Proactive. Don’t get comfortable, because change can come anytime. Rather, make small changes in your own career on a regular basis so that you can desensitize yourself to “change shock” while honing the skill of proactively managing it.
- Be Positive. Don’t look for the negatives but see the positives. For example, if you are “blessed” with a new supervisor, establish a positive working relationship from the get-go. Discover their strengths and what you can learn from them and how they can best help you reach your goals.
- Be Trustful. Talk with your coach and mentor and those you can trust to help you deal with change successfully. Trust yourself that you will grow from this experience and look for ways in which you can build your coping, change and management skillset.
- Be Accepting: This probably will begin with tapping into a trusted resource, your journal, your coach, your collective friends, your calming verse or anything that can get you back to a place where you can think clearly. Then open your mind and reflect on the positives that accompany this change—what you can do to step into it and take back your power and control.
- Be Reflective: Reflect on your feelings of change. What’s holding you back from accepting change that comes your way or being the initiator of change in your own life? Whether you’re ready to admit it or not, the reason change seems so difficult is fear. We feel unsettled and unsecure when change comes our way and that spikes fear within us. Even change as small as someone taking your “usual” parking place can throw us off and make us feel unsettled.
If you’re unhappy, you need to make some changes. Remember, you’re not in it alone. Reflect on your feelings of change and be willing to make changes that will bring you to a more positive place.
How to Be Career Happy? Accept Change With An Open Mind
I hope this article provided you with a few applicable ideas for success. I would be honored if you shared this on social media. And speaking of sharing, please share your own ideas and experiences below. Together, we can build a happier career community.
Photo Source: Photodune