Let’s open today’s blog post with the understatement of the century, shall we?
Change is hard.
Yep. Whether good or bad, the sheer act of change is often a challenge.
But why? Why does change feel so difficult for some of us?
When it comes down to it – like so many things – the difficulty stems from a state of fear: fear of the unknown, fear of perceived risk, fear of failure, etc.
And while some of us handle change better than others, (me – not so much) I think all of us have felt a sense of uncertainty from facing a new experience.
Losing your job, getting married, moving to a new home, having a baby, getting sick, sending your child to school, overhauling your diet…we’ve all been there.
The good news, is that despite change containing this often-uncomfortable “unknown,” there are strategies to help make these transitions to new territory much easier.
So if you’re searching for tips about dealing with change, then you’ve come to the right place.
Read on for my 5 easy steps.
5 Easy Steps for Dealing With Change
You’ve Been Here Before
The first thing to do is to remind yourself that you’ve been here before. In fact, you’ve been dealing with change your entire life, and look where you are now.
You developed new insights from your last breakup; you love living in your new location; you’re happier with your new career, etc.
Sometimes when we’re faced with a daunting change, it’s easy to get tunnel vision and we forget how incredibly resilient and strong we are. So take some time to remind yourself of that.
You’ve been here before, and you totally got this.
Plan Ahead
When I’m dealing with change – big or small – planning ahead is a key strategy for me. By mapping out my plan of attack, and filling in the details, I help ensure the transition goes as smoothly as possible.
If you’re planning a major cross-country move, for example, start preparing early.
Research and decide upon your closing dates, moving services, moving dates, etc. Do a major decluttering of your closets, basement, kitchen, and garage. Start packing the items you won’t need way ahead of time, and label the boxes clearly. Do not under any circumstances use the label “Miscellaneous.”
By mapping everything out and taking action early, you regain the control that fear has stolen from you.
Take that, fear.
Talk it out
I find this strategy especially helpful in combination with both of the above suggestions.
Talk with someone you love about your struggles dealing with change. Ask them about their own experiences and whether they’ve endured a similar situation.
Talk through the changes you’ve handled in the past, and explain the different strategies you used to make them successful. Discuss your current plans for dealing with change. Do they have any suggestions to add?
Sometimes simply talking with another person helps us better understand why we’re feeling such uncertainty, while also giving us more clarity and perspective about the upcoming change.
Celebrate Your Wins
As you work through the change, make sure you take time to celebrate your wins. And I’m not just talking about the big stuff. Take time to recognize and celebrate all of your accomplishments along the way.
If you only allow yourself to celebrate at the end of the journey, depending on the situation, you could have a rather lengthy wait in front of you. So make sure you keep your spirits up and your determination strong by celebrating your big and small wins throughout.
Think of Your Future Self
This one might sound strange but bear with me for a minute.
Take some quiet time to think positively about the future. Put yourself in your new job, in your new home, with your new baby, or healed from your injury.
Think about how your future self will recall this moment of transition and growth. How did you get to this point? What did you learn from the experience? How did you grow?
Remember, change is growth, and that’s why it’s uncomfortable. But on the flip side, change is growth, and that’s why it’s wonderful.
[bctt tweet=”Remember, change is growth, and that’s why it’s uncomfortable. But on the flip side, change is growth, and that’s why it’s wonderful. #change #growth #dreambig #igotthis” username=”BusyBeingPaula”]
If you’re dealing with change, or you’re having a hard time adjusting to new circumstances, be sure to download my Dealing With Change worksheet. It walks you through these five steps, while also helping you recognize the benefits of the change.
Question:
Are you dealing with change? What are your strategies to handle the uncertainty that comes with new experiences? Let me know below!