Change is not easy for most people.
At the same time, change is inevitable.

• Maybe it’s a new boss that you weren’t expecting
• a new job or career
• your industry is going away or your company is closing
• your skills are not needed anymore.

Is your career changing in any of these situations?
Majority of people in the workforce today are facing this question.
Companies thrive on change, and most change very quickly.

And, you have to adapt moving on with it.

You have to manage your change. You have to go with it. You cannot sit and hope that you can ride it out. Do something. Your wish list may include that your change would just go away so you don’t have to think about it anymore.

• You have to learn to love change and accept it
• Do not be afraid of it anymore
• What you don’t resist cannot persist
• Expect change to affect you
• Expect it to alter the way you see yourself and your career

Whatever the change, you have a decision to make –
Hate it and be miserable, or
love it so you can tackle it head on and use it to your advantage.

WAYS TO HELP YOU LOVE CHANGE

Ask What You Are “Really” Afraid Of

Fear plays a big part in change management.
If you think you cannot handle your change, change will be more difficult for you.
If you believe you can handle whatever comes your way, change will be easier for you. And, more fun.

It’s important that you identify what part of a change scares you.
Maybe you are not afraid of what will happen, but are afraid of the journey.
Maybe you are looking forward to the journey, but are afraid you won’t get to your destination.

If you can see your fear as a part of the bigger picture, rather than the whole picture, you can address the piece that scares you the most.

Dealing with something smaller is easier than dealing with something that is bigger. Understand where the fear is specifically, so you can zero in on what needs to be addressed first.

Understand That You Will Always Be Changing

Change is a part of life and is a good part.
New relationships, new jobs, new cities, new friends. All good aspects of life.

They say “when one door closes, another one opens” for a reason.

Doors close because they are supposed to close. And new doors cannot open until you shut the one behind you. Not all change is bad. It’s how we grow and become better people. Without change, you may feel more secure, but your career would be more boring. And that would be worse and more unfulfilling than the change itself.

Make friend with Change

If you are in the midst of a change, take a step back and look at it objectively.
Was this a sudden change or one you knew you should be making for a long time?

If you weren’t resisting your change, what would be possible and what would you be doing differently? For one, you would be moving through your change quicker. And, enjoying it more.

Change happens for a reason. Make change your friend rather than your enemy and change will be easier and more rewarding.

Suresh Shah, M.D., Pathfinders Enterprise