Countering Change: Make It Your Own

When change occurs, instability follows.

Unfortunately, that means it can take a while to settle into a new normal. Some change is hard, while other times change brings new excitement.

So, how do you handle change?

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Do you bury your head in the sand and refuse to acknowledge the changes taking place? Do you embrace it and go with the flow? Or maybe you take it too far and use it as an excuse to cut ties, ditch responsibilities, or refuse to put down healthy roots?

Intentional Transition

Whatever your response — whether healthy, stubborn, or somewhere in between — dealing with change well often requires an intentional transition.

But how do you do that when location, jobs, relationships, etc. may all be in flux?

Sometimes the best way to counteract change is to create your own change instead. If circumstances force you to adapt, why not take control of the momentum and make some of the changes on your own terms?

By mixing it up in a few different areas of life those adjustments become new symbols of your fresh start, smoothing the overall flow of transition by focusing on the new rather than on the change itself.

Make It Your Own

Here are a few tips for managing change when it comes your way:

1. Journal — Every time you experience a new season or change in business, try beginning a new journal or moleskin to write in. This is a small symbolic gesture, but it will help tell you that you’re on a new journey and have reason to feel excited about it rather than allowing fear to hold you back.
2. Schedule — Each season has its own schedule. When change occurs, mix it up. For example, if you’re always in the office by 7:30 AM to reflect, focus, read, etc. try adapting your schedule to do that at home before heading into the office. Or maybe you have been working too much and need to commit to making it to more of your kids practices and games to introduce more work-life balance to your life. It might sound drastic but it will bring great reward.
3. Dress — This may sound funny, but every season can have its own dress code. Consider making a style change to embrace and explore a new side of yourself. Sometimes different challenges require different approaches, and the research is clear that how you dress can greatly affect how you carry yourself.
4. Playlists — Create playlists for every season. Having an anthem or soundtrack for a period of life facilitates focus, inspiration, and recharge when needed. Never underestimate the power of music to re-energize the mind and bolster the heart for the good and bad life throws at you.
5. Big Change — Every once in a while, make a major change. Maybe that’s getting more involved with local organizations, volunteer opportunities, faith centers, or sports teams. Or perhaps it means re-engaging with friends you haven’t seemed to make time for lately. Do you need to start up a new hobby or revisit an old one? Or is the change larger, like buying a car, finding a different home/apartment in a different part of town, or changing jobs? Whatever that change is, find something healthy and fulfilling with rewards beyond the simple change of scenery, but that also connects to some other desire for your new season of life.

Go For It!

Of course all these ideas are merely suggestions. Everyone must deal with change in their own way, and hopefully you’ll take the time to invest in the new season you are about to encounter. Intentionality is key though, so give it some thought and don’t let change control you. Embrace the opportunities for fresh perspectives and experiences and you’ll find out just how much smoother your transition can be for any curveball life throws at you.

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