For some of us, change keeps us interested and excited, while others are creatures of habit. No matter if changing our routine excites or frightens us, we need to accept that it’s always around the corner!
The start of a new year is a curious thing; even though it’s just a number, it represents a lot more than that. Expectations, as well as, New Year’s resolutions soar, and the opportunity to let go of what wasn’t working and start new routines and habits is both motivating and exciting for some. For others moving from their comfort zones can be challenging.
Indeed, each year things happen that we didn’t expect or plan. The only control we have is how we handle change. The most helpful self-awareness strategy to assist us with adjusting is to ‘accept that change is just around the corner.’
There are two types of change – the kind we plan for and the kind that catches us by surprise.
Can you commit to change?
For instance, adding exercise into your daily routine, developing new habits, starting your own business or repairing a relationship are all changes that we can plan and place in our realm of control.
Determination and commitment of knowing the road may have a few bumps in it will be your most significant assets. Change can bring out tendencies such as avoidance, procrastination and yes, sometimes fear. One of the biggest challenges we face is committing to change. Before you invest, the first and most important step is you must want to make the change or adjust that habit. It must become your highest priority and main focus!
What about the kind of change that takes us by surprise?
Situations including new management at work, a new project gets put on our desk, our kids reach a new stage in their development are examples of change that take us by surprise. One thing is for sure, “change is necessary and inevitable” for individuals and businesses to flourish in today’s fast-paced world. We need to overcome the fear that change drives and begin to embrace it. Most people can adapt to change, even if at first, it is difficult. Remember, past experiences show a change in one way or another was for the better; it opened doors, provided opportunities or lessons that weren’t there before. One thing that can make change difficult is a negative attitude towards it.
Preparing for change is essential.
The best way to deal with change successfully is to prepare for it! We know that we do not have control over everything that happens in our lives. People change, and our personal and professional lives change regularly; therefore, if we allow ourselves to anticipate change, then it stops us from dealing with strong emotions such as shock, fear, surprise, and disappointment when change occurs.
An exercise I recommend when facilitating emotional intelligence presentations or consulting is to spend time regularly preparing for change. Begin by generating a list of some significant changes that could potentially happen in your personal and professional lives and some actions you may take if the change happens. This type of contemplation and problem solving will strengthen your skills and make you more flexible and adaptive.
5 reasons change is good for you:
The following reasons why change is good, was published in the Huffington Post by Amber Rose Monaco, Founder of Climb Out of The Cubicle:
- You are pushed out of your comfort zone.
- You get to experience more.
- You get to find out who you really are.
- It makes you more flexible and adaptable.
- You have more fun.
