10 Tips on How to Handle Change Positively
Change comes to us often unexpectedly and we need to be ready. Here are some tips for you to get the best out of changes that you don’t expect, by making sure that you are primed for those moments.
1. Accept How You Feel
How you feel is OK. Whoever is going through this change experience would feel the way you do, whether it is angry, sad, frustrated etc. all the emotions are acceptable. It is OK in the moment to feel the way you do.
2. Sleep on it
Avoid being hasty about anything – let it sink in. The better news will be tomorrow – after you have had time for it to stew a little. Your right brain will kick in – and then you can get creative!
3. See Through the Emotion
Here you can combine the facts that you have – and be very honest and realistic here, with the possibilities. What opportunities could this present?
4. Think Big Picture
At this point you can see the micro-environment – how it might affect you and what a difference it might make to your life. But, what if whatever happened was going to be OK. What could you use out of this experience to help you go wherever you might want to in the future? Taking a pro-active position on this will make a BIG difference.
5. Create a Plan
At the beginning this will be very sketchy, but how about creating a plan of how you can utilise the change to create a better more fulfilling life for yourself. As Benjamin Franklin said ‘Out of adversity truly comes opportunity’.
6. Remember Where You Are Right Now
Be honest about the life you have – it is probably not that bad – so every change you have experienced in your life has been got through so far. Maybe there have been a few ups and downs, but you’ve probably been at least OK – so this gives you the chance to be at least OK – and new possibilities too! In fact, you might even be ahead!
7. Be Strategic
In your plan, which looks to the future, use the changes you are experiencing to your advantage. Look out for opportunities that might crop up which work for you. Be aware and creative in what you do and where you look.
8. Celebrate
When you are going through this, find moments of success – and celebrate that you are in control – you are being creative, positive and capable. It is worth the celebration.
9. Look for Change
Prepare for change all the time and utilise the new skills (which you would not have had if you had not experienced change) to respond in your interests in future. You might even be constructive in generating changes for yourself.
10. Share
…your positive experiences with others. Using this pro-active way of dealing with change is radical and new – share your success with and therefore help others.
(c) 2007 Martin Haworth works as a management, business and career coach, helping thousands of clients have a successful and ‘dream’ career, through the use of his immediately downloadable toolkit “How To Land Your Dream Job” available right now at http://www.HowToLandYourDreamJob.com
