Tips for dealing with change
Do you like change? Genuinely? Or do you say you do, but reality is somewhat different? Change is part of life, and seems to be increasingly prevalent in all parts of life in more recent times. But, finding that you don’t deal with change well is not uncommon. You cannot always predict change or anticipate how well you will deal with it. Here are some tips that can help.
Recognise the worst
What is the worst thing that can happen? If it does, what would that mean for you? What choices or consequences would you be faced with? If you have thought about these things you can often lesson the impact of change outcomes.
How much can you control?
The worst feeling you can experience in times of change is that sense you have no control. That’s actually not true. There is always something that you can control. Identify that. Find some solitude in knowing that there are some things you can control and some you can’t. It gives peace of mind.
Celebrate the positives
Find the things that are positives for you – things that are working well. Arrangements that seem to suit you. It may not seem like an easy thing to do when you are in a sea of change, but dig deep. Look hard. Find something. Celebrate that.
Take action
Engage with the change process. Be part of it. Be proactive in being part of the change taking place whether that be through planning and goal-setting or problem-solving. Focus on the issue(s) at hand and take a consultative approach to developing strategies to manage the events happening.
Accept and re-frame
If the change is being imposed, perhaps you need to take a reflective approach. That means accepting there are things beyond your control. Choosing to accept this and be comfortable with it will help bring greater calm than playing the blame game or fighting against it. Try to take a learning perspective. View change as an opportunity to learn and grow, rather than a setback. Re-frame the way you tell yourself this.
Manage your stress
Adopt strategies for managing your own stress. Mindfulness, meditation and relaxation techniques can all help. Exercise is another form of activity for decompressing. Know yourself and what works best for you.
Seek support
Change is different for everyone. It’s perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed if there is too much happening at once. When you are feeling overwhelmed, it is time to start calling on support. That may mean the support of friends, family, your partner, or professional help. Sometimes you just need to express your concerns to someone else, get their perspective, support for you or suggestions for what to do next. A problem shared can feel like a problem halved.
Do you have other strategies to offer?
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