A change is as good as a rest

So my Mum always says.

So why then do people sometimes struggle with managing change?  This post is a taster from my new and soon to be published workbook.

“CHANGE verb ( BECOME DIFFERENT ) : to make or become different, or to exchange one thing for another thing, especially of a similar type”

Change is a concept that many of us struggle to deal with, or we find it difficult to adapt to new situations, sometimes we need a little help along the way.  Struggling to deal with change can be counter-productive and hold us back in both our personal or working lives.  Change can be large, resulting from a change in personal circumstances e.g. loss of a family member, change in job, marriage, or small e.g. a new filing system at work.  No matter how large or small the change, its rarely trivial and can result in emotions such as fear or blame.

In many cases change is out of our control and if we can manage our feelings around change, then we more quickly adapt and become productive again.

Some people may have heard of the change curve.  The Reflections Coaching Change workbook demonstrates the journey that people take when dealing with change.  If you understand this journey it makes change easier to deal with.

My workbook isn’t finished, however just to help you out here are my 5 top tips for dealing with change.

1. Talk to others experiencing the same change, and not just those who are unhappy about it.  Other people may help you see some positives you can take from it.
2. Talk to people who have undergone a similar change and come out of it the other side.  This may help you see the light at the end of the tunnel.
3. Make the decision to choose what you think.  If you feel the change is being done to you, you will have no control over the situation.  Once you realise you have a choice, you take some control back into your life.
4. Don’t take it personally.  Often during changes we can feel that something is being done to us, when more often than not its about the company/group where the change is taking place.  Its rarely personal.
5. Choose some positive steps that move you forward. Something that moves you away from dwelling on your change and makes a step towards new goals and ambitions.

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