How to Manage Change in Your Life
A topic I am often asked to speak about is the process of managing change in our lives and in our businesses.
There are effective processes that help us enormously to adjust to new circumstances and situations in life and work, of course.
But I am always reminded that if we are honest about change, so much of it in our lives seems to manage us, rather than we manage it.
A loved one dies or leaves us, so we are forced to make changes to adjust to our new reality. We lose a job we loved and that sustained our family, so suddenly we ignite our entrepreneurial spirit and change the way we work.
We become ill or a part of our body needs replacement, so we cope with the pain and adjust our lives to deal with our physical limitations.
We take on the care of a sick child or a dying parent, so we change again to adapt to these added responsibilities.
We may talk as motivational speakers about the joy of change as an opportunity for growth and new development. But in fact, for many, many people, change is merely a bad turn of events that they suddenly find they must make the most of.
Assuming control when change is forced
So let’s change the discussion about change and accept that there are two process of change. There is the change we initiate, and the change to which we must merely respond.
The change we initiate is much easier to handle, because we can plan it and prepare ourselves for it.
The change we do not initiate is a thump on the side of the head, catching us completely unaware and leaving us stunned and hurting from its force. Sometimes it is also accompanied by a tremendous sense of loss.
The change we initiate is a happy time in our life. We stretch ourselves and grow and create and even though there is some accompanying stress, overall it is a happy time. You will be okay and deep down, even on the worse day, you know that.
The change that sneaks up on us is usually unhappy. We stand up stunned and keep perfectly still, trying to figure out what to do and where to go next. Overall, it is a very stressful time. Others tell you that you will be okay, but deep down, you are not sure.
Those are the times when you must seize control of yourself, your responses and the situation.
Don’t travel blindly; seek your new path
Have you ever been driving on a highway when high winds and rain started to pelt your car so furiously that you couldn’t see a foot in front of you? You pull your car to the side of the road or the first rest area you can find and take shelter until you can see your way again. When you can get back on track to your destination, you resume your journey.
That is a good response to the unexpected change in life. It’s okay to stop when you are blinded by change. You need time to be safe and take shelter and figure out where the road to the future is.
You will always recover faster in life if you know what your destination looks like. Because when the rains of change stop, you will be able to see your way to your goal again. If you have no idea what your goal in life is, it will take longer for you to regain your focus.
When you know your purpose in life, you can manage change easier.
Paula Morand, CSP is a leadership building, revenue boosting, strategy expanding keynote speaker, author and visionary. This dreaming big and being bold leadershp expert and brand strategist brings her vibrant energy, humor and wisdom to ignite individuals, organizations and communities to lead change, growth and bold impact. 23 years, 25,000 clients, 19 countries, 11 books, former radio personality, 10x award winning entrepreneur and humorous emcee.
To check out Paula’s newest book, “Bold Courage: How Owning Your Awesome Changes Everything” go to Amazon http://ow.ly/i8yW307ix67
Speaking inquiries email bookings@paulamorand.com or call toll-free 1-888-502-6317.