Application Story: Managing Change in Our Personal and Professional Life

“Change is the law of life” – John F. Kennedy

We live in a world where change is constant, and it is presented in our lives without a formal announcement.  In fact, change comes in many ways and it could be interpreted as an opportunity to grow, or as a hard thing to manage. Change is current when people lost jobs, get married or divorce, have a child, move to another location, get sick, gain or lose weight, and make financial changes. Moreover, in our daily lives there are always changes presented in the way we eat, live, think, buy things, build relationships, communicate with others, and make decisions.  As we see change is imminent in our lives.

When facing any change we mightn’t be prepared to embrace it right away. On the contrary, we can become confused and reluctant to what is happening. This could bring into our lives mixed emotions such as fear, anxiety, and stress. That is a normal reaction when we are getting out of our confortable zone facing something new that we are not certain yet. In fact, over the course of my life I will say because of those emotions we may interpret change as something hard, something to avoid, something that takes energy, and work, or something that involves pain.

For some, however, change can trigger a different response, one of optimism and strength.  For these people the emotional component of change can be managed, and their fear and anxiety are replaced with a new way of thinking. I am sure they still feel change is hard, and painful, but they are realistic, and may find change positive. They look for ways to understand that every experience in life could be a way of learning, a way to build their learning agility to adapt and take the best out of that situation. That is the approach we need to learn to take.

Based on my personal experience and reflecting back in the many things I have faced in terms of change, I can assure that having a new mind-set about change will radically affect the way we live our lives. Something I have learned is that something good come from any change, and that is the message I want to share with you.  But, how is this possible? Well, examining those changes, I noticed that the first few weeks of my transition were the hardest for me.  I had fear, and a lot of anxiety about what was going on. However going back to those moments, I tried to think that this part was the most important part of the change, because although I was not able to think clearly and practically, I knew that at the bottom of my heart this was a learning moment in my life.  I was very scared no doubt about it; but during that transition, I have learned that I was able to come to the other side, only if I just adjusted my sails and followed the wind with a strong conviction that something new was coming.

Here is my reflection, on how I adjust my sails when facing winds of change:

First of all, I will say that it is possible to find the right tools with a positive mind-set. For that it is important to start thinking about the PURPOSE of our change, instead of focusing on WHY is this happening. I am a strong believer that there will be always something positive that comes after change. To do that, I have used a journal to write down my emotions and feelings.  To express myself and explore with words my feelings accepting what was happening.Second, I have generated new believes about myself, about the change and about what I would like to accomplish after the transition. I looked for positive messages and inspirational words that became my “word mantras”. I used them to adjust my feelings because I was sure that from any lose; there is always something to be found. One of the favorite sayings I have found is “We cannot see around corners,  we just have to keep moving forward, trusting there is something good around the bend”.  That is a powerful mantra for me, and it could be for you.  Also to cope with change, I have surrounded myself with people who inspired me, friends who already transferred from one thing to another, people I read about that experienced great changes in their lives. Moreover, I have found inspirational literature that talks about resilience, and positivism.
Later when the storm is becoming a little clear, and the winds are taking my sails far in the process, then I started crafting my plan, thinking about that new beginning, and what I wanted to accomplish. I know it could sound overwhelming, but having a plan in mind, or at least starting to think what I wanted to do next or how I would like things to became has given me a great strength to cross the path, and move on. It is not easy and every change I have faced in my life starts always with that anxiety and stress, then after painful moments, I looked back and see that always there is a way to move on and let the winds of change take us to a new place, with a new person and perspective in mind.

Here are some tips to help you take action in terms of change and adjusting your sails:

1.       What is the one new thing you need to believe to get through the change you’re experiencing or initiating? Write it somewhere where it will be easily visible. If you want more than one thing to believe, go ahead!

I am…

God will…

Life is…

This is…

2.       What are the strongest empowering believes you can have that will help you through any change? For example, when I’m going through change, some of my beliefs are as follows.

This too shall pass…

Things always work out in the end…

I will get through this…

Life is on my side…

I’m not alone…

I can change…

3.       What are the best things you believe about yourself? Your skills, talents, qualities… what makes you, you? Write these down.

4.       Think of few of your best friends – people you admire, respect, and love. Write down their names and their strongest beliefs. Do any of them hold a belief you would like to try in for a while?

I am sure these steps can help us adjust our minds and look for a lot of possibilities.

In conclusion, over my experience I am a firm believer that change allows us to learn and understand something new. I try to keep in mind that change is never a punishment, although sometimes we want to see it that way. Change it is always an opportunity to connect with what is inside us. What is more, change allows us to choose how we want to react to something that has happened by accepting it or resisting it. In fact, change helps us find ourselves, the part of us that is always there, that does not change. Life’s unpredictability becomes infinitely easier when we connect with that part of ourselves.  Finally, change is always in our side. It exists to serve us, teach us lessons, and help us embrace life’s mysteries. 

Keep in mind that adjusting to change takes practice. When we are in facing any change, we have to retraining our brains and create a new habit. Start thinking about your new beliefs, they will represent your new perspective. Soon those beliefs will become more familiar, and eventually the will become automatic.

I want to finish this application story with this quote: “You see everything is about belief, whatever we believe rules our existence, rules our life.” – Don Miguel Ruiz