The Change Footprint — Dealing with a world of change

While the world churns around us, human nature craves stability. Dealing with change can be draining, distracting, nerve racking. The reality is that change in inevitable. Even if we stand still, factors outside of our control force change on us. This is particularly true in work. For the most part, work is the biggest influence on most of us living in westernised society. We spend most of our time at work, it takes most of our energy, creativity and thought. We rely on work for income to support the other important things in our lives and many of us find our identity in our chosen profession.

When our work changes, it can threaten our identity, our livelihood and our self confidence. Having spent the last fifteen years manging workplace change projects, which are generally short term. I have been both the changer and the changee. As the changer, I have seen the impact change in work can have. As the changee, I have experienced big life changes first hand. This is how I learned how to deal with change. Before I get into the specifics I want to say one thing, read this, read everything else about self help, productivity and so on. There is only one way to live through life, your way.

Expect change. I have had five jobs in the past ten years. Some have been temporary, some have been permanent. The most rewarding, longest periods of work I had have been from jobs that I thought would be short term and mundane. The shortest, worst job I had I expected to be in for life. Now days, when I start a new job, I give it my all for as long as the work is there. I work this way because I expect the job to be different at the end to what is is at the start.

I learned from this to leave a small footprint. Everything I need to work wherever I am fits into a messenger bag. Leaving a clean desk every night changes my focus and sense of belonging. My work doesn’t belong at my desk, it belongs with me. There’s no paper on my desk to say “this is me and what I do”. My sense of work satisfaction comes from my contribution to everything I do.

Using technology allows me to leave a small footprint. All my documents are in soft copy, so are my notes. I use a small but effective selection of applications to keep my information up to date and accessible. I can always find what I need, I can record what I want and I can track what I need to do. If you want to leave small footprint, technology helps. That doesn’t mean the same outcome can’t be achieved with other methods. Use a nice notebook, buy some good pencils. Whatever you need to put in your bag to be effective, do it.

A small footprint is empowering. Is gives you the ability to use your bag of everything you need to do other things. Lots of other things. Volunteer your time, write, look for other opportunities. Establish a system to manage your workload that covers both work and other interests. Make sure the system can go with you. Use your system to track how much you are doing and to make sure you are not taking on too much. You still need time to relax, think and just be.

Always work towards the next thing. I always think about the next thing, with an eye to change. What could I/ would I like to be doing in one year, three years or five years? What would be new, different, engaging and a learning experience? These questions asked and answered give direction and focus and help power through change onto the next great thing. Have a great Life, learn and have fun.