Embracing Change   S. 4  E.  55

 

Listen to this episode to learn how to make embracing change easier. 

 

Show notes:

Episode Summary:

When talking about a change, have you ever heard that that you should just “deal with it”? Or have you heard people tell you to just “accept” the change?  If you were to move past dealing with or accepting change and instead began to embrace change, how would it look and feel different? In this episode, the final in a four part series about the topic of change, we will explore ways that you can embrace the changes that come your way in your work and home life.

As always, we share stories and discussion that is not included in the show notes. For the full discussion, please listen to the podcast.

In this episode:

For the last three episodes we have been exploring change. In episode 52 we talked about preparing for change. In episode 53 we explored mindsets and habits about change. Episode 54 got us thinking about which changes to fight and now we are here at the final change episode…focused on embracing change.

What does it mean to embrace change?

Embracing change is more than just accepting it, dealing with it, or grudgingly living with it.

Embracing change means that we acknowledge that change is always present and it is going to be a part of our lives.

It means knowing that change is here and more is coming and that change can bring about new ideas, benefits and improvements to our lives, even though change can sometimes be difficult. Embracing change means that we recognize all the ways that change has made, and continues to make our lives better.

This doesn’t mean that we never have doubts and fears about change. What it does mean, though, is that we acknowledge that doubts and fears are expected but so are benefits and wins from the changes as well.

This is not just about getting through the next initiative, we need to learn to navigate change gracefully. Even if you don’t feel you are navigating the change gracefully,  you can look it.

We are reminded of the duck story. On the surface of the water, everything looks smooth, even if down below the water where you can’t see, the duck’s feet are moving quickly. The same is true of change, sometimes you don’t see things that are happening underneath the surface.

What does this change make possible?

When embracing change, you can focus on the question, “What does this make possible?”.  Sometimes good things ARE possible with change.

Our world is a better place because of change. Think of the technological and medical changes that have improved our length and quality of life.

Leadership coach Jim Rohn said,  “Your life does not get better by chance. It gets better by change.”

It can be easy to see the difficulties brought about by certain changes while overlooking all the good that change can bring. By asking “What does this change make possible?” we are looking for the positives and possibilities, not just the negatives or inconveniences.

What does embracing change look like?

How you embrace change, and make a conscious decision to look for the possibilities, will be unique to you.

Here are just a few good suggestions for embracing change:

1. Write down, list, and journal about opportunities and positives that can potentially come about because of this change. We both often talk about the ways that journaling helps us understand our thoughts. It can also help you realize what you are afraid of or why you are so angry. It can also be a way to vent.
2. Having a positive attitude, be confident and remain optimistic is a choice. It is about making an intention choice. For example, when personal development trainer Brendan Burchard walks into  meeting, he says, “I will bring the joy.”
3. Commit yourself to the change. This means not putting your head in the sand. You decide to make a commitment. When we commit, we are much more likely to follow through. Our actions follow our beliefs.
4. Look for new skills you can learn or develop because of the change. Is this an opportunity to grow? How might this change help you personally or professionally in the future? For example, if you have an involuntary transfer to a different grade level, how will this help you develop into a better and ultimately more valuable teacher?
5. Ask questions to better understand the reasoning for the change and your part in the change. Really listen to the rationale for the change without letting your reservations get in the way. Go in with an open mind. What does this questioning and listening help you to do? It helps you to build perspective and trying to understand.
6. Listen to people who don’t think like you, try to understand their perspective. Ask good questions. Make sure this isn’t a bigger picture that you aren’t seeing.
7. Seek support if you need it from your star system. Your star system is the constellation of people around you who support you, make you better, and help you to shine. You can vent to them, they will likely take your side, but keep the venting to a minimum and make sure you don’t play the victim in the story. Many times your people will help you to see the positives or you can ask them to help you to figure out ways to adjust.
8. Take care of yourself. Exercise and being active can help you be more motived and the release of hormones into your system can help you to be happier in general which can help you to reframe the change. In addition, refrain from letting your healthy eating patterns go. You can refer back to episode 16 on Real Self Care where we talk about The Stress Cycle.
9. From that same episode on completing the stress cycle, we talk about laughter. Laughter is a good way to complete the stress cycle. Laugh more and have a good cry if you need it.

 These are just a few suggestions for ways that you can embrace change. We are sure you can think of others that you have used when life has thrown you a curve ball. We would love to know your favorite suggestions so please reach out to us to share. We love hearing from listeners who enjoy the information in this podcast and have additional suggestions so keep that communication coming.

No matter how you decide to embrace change, you will be better for choosing to see change in this light!

Recap:

As much as it would sometimes be easier to have things stay the same, they rarely do. Change happens and because of this our world is better in many ways. You can choose to deal with change or accept change. However, by embracing change, you allow yourself to see all the possibilities that change can bring. How you embrace change, and make a conscious decision to look for the possibilities, will be unique to you. The sky is the limit and there is lots of change in this world which brings many opportunities to practice embracing change.

Quote: 

“Your life does not get better by chance. It gets better by change.”

Jim Rohn

Related Episodes/Blog Posts:

Episode 16 Real Self Care

Episode 52 Change is Hard, Make it Easier : Prepare Yourself

Episode 53 make Change Easier by Adjusting Your Mindset and Habits

Episode 54 Is this Change Worth Fighting? 

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