Oh Crap - Another Change ...

To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often. - Winston Churchill

For many, Change is a naughty and bad “C” word. It is a thing that many avoid and many – yes so many – dread.

Change is often viewed as taking one off their balance – or their routine. Change puts a new way of doing something front and center and frankly, many are just resistant to change in their career and life.

Unfortunately, given what we have experienced this past several years with a whole new paradigm of what we once knew as work – and in life as well – being resistance or unable to manage change may leave you in the dust.

Change is really fear – in another disguise.

If you think about it, it isn’t the actual process of change that causes some to become unnerved. It is the associated fear or the “what of”.  Fear plays havoc on one’s mind and body. Fear associated with change can result in:

•    Tiredness or lack of sleep

•    Lack of concentration

•    Feeling pessimistic

•    Feeling overwhelmed

… or other mental or physical result. This is often caused by one’s unique ability to assume – assume – assume – themselves out of sleep and concentration.  One assumes that this or that will happen – and it may or may not – and that causes even more fear.

I am a big fan of the book and thoughts around The Four Agreements (http://www.amazon.com/The-Four-Agreements-Practical-Personal/dp/1878424319). In this bestseller, Don Miguel Ruiz cites making assumptions as a real deterrent to growth. He believes (as so do I) that making assumptions causes the mind to wander and not focus and leads one down a path of the unknown and unproven and that sucks energy.

So then how do you best handle change – when you don’t embrace it?

Accepting and managing your life and career through change requires new mindset, a deep breath and an open mind – key requirements for successful change.

First, look at change in a new light. Change can bring:

•    New experiences and opportunities

•    Stimulation of new ideas and ways of thinking

•    Development 0f new strengths such as more self confidence

•    Improved ability to prioritize and problem solve

If you can accept this, see below for recommendations on how to better handle and cope with change – practices you can start today:

•    Be flexible and not rigid in your approach

•    Care for your physical and emotional health to be better conditioned to accept change

•    Maintain your life  & work flow by keeping some kind of ‘routine’

•    Communicate - be in touch with friends and social networks and don’t become a hermit under “attack”

•    If you are experiencing stress, incorporate stress reduction techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, breathing exercises, etc. Me – I take to the slopes or hop on the treadmill!

•    Change your focus and start a new wish list of new plans and goals to fit your new circumstances

•    Embrace change and the challenges or opportunities that may be presented.

•    Take a deep breath - take it one step at a time and pledge to yourself not to be overwhelmed.

•    Smile – and keep your sense of humor.

If you are still finding it difficult, talk to someone – perhaps a counselor – who can help you through this change. Of course, the type of change you are undergoing would dictate the type of counselor.

Embrace and accept change – don’t resist it. The ability of one to morph and change their life and career with changing economic and social conditions defines leadership. The inability of one to morph and change leads to stagnation.

Your choice – and I hope you embrace change. 
And thank you for reading this - Dan 
Dan MoranPresident & FounderNext-Act, Division of DVG, Inc.Career Management & Transition SpecialistsCorporate Management Services
Celebrating 26 years providing career & corporate management services in 2014!125 Wolf Road, Suite #128Albany, NY 12205Phone: 518-641-8968  dmoran@next-act.com

Register for Reinvent Yourself 2014 – Media  Capital Region Living Magazine, May 3^rd, 8:30 – noon, Hilton Garden Inn, Troy. In a few short hours, craft your mission statement and learn how to reinvent your life, career and leadership qualities. I will be there with experts in life coaching, leadership, entrepreneurship, finance. To register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reinvent-yourself-14-tickets-9289540265 or if you wish, call me at 518-641-8968 or email to dmoran@next-act.com .

Author: Accept-Commit-Permit: Three Essential Steps to Achieving Happiness &Success in Career (and Life!) ... Exclusively at Amazon.com:http://tinyurl.com/lluzsyd